Italy U20 head coach Fabio Roselli has named his side to face Scotland on Friday at Netherdale.
Flanker Davide Ruggeri captains the side as Italy aim to better a fourth-place finish in last year’s U20’s Six Nations.
The back-line features Valsugana Rugby men Jacopo Trulla and Edoardo Mastandrea alongside Matteo Moscardi.
Damiano Mazza, Michael Mba both start, while Paolo Garbisi is fly-half and Alessandro Fusco is scrum-half.
Matteo Drudi, Niccolo Taddia and Matteo Nocero form the front row as Davide Ruggeri starts at No 7.
Looking ahead to the clash in Galashiels, the Italy head coach believes his side can put down a marker to kick on from.
He said: “After all the work done in the first part of the season we cannot wait to compare ourselves against Scotland and start the tournament in the best possible way.
“Surely they will want to fight back after we beat them last time.
“The mental aspect will be fundamental. They have a game very similar to that of the senior team, based on possession, so we will have to be good at limiting their attacks.”
Italy U20 team to face Scotland:
15. Jacopo Trulla (Valsugana Rugby Padova) 14. Edoardo Mastandrea (Valsugana Rugby Padova)
13. Matteo Moscardi (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
12. Damiano Mazza (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano)
11. Michael Mba (Rugby Casale)
10. Paolo Garbisi (Mogliano Rugby 1969)
9. Alessandro Fusco (Rugby Naples Afragola)
1. Matteo Drudi (Frascati Rugby Club)
2. Niccolò Taddia (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
3. Matteo Nocera (Flame Gold Rugby)
4. Nicolae Cristian Stoian (Rugby Anzio)
5. Thomas Parolo (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
6. Mirco Finotto (Mogliano Rugby 1969),
7. Davide Ruggeri (Rugby Como) (c)
8. Antoine Koffi (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano)
Replacements:
16. Luca Franceschetto (Rugby Vicenza)
17. Gianmarco Lucchesi (Lions Amaranth)
18. Filippo Alongi (The Titans)
19, Marco Butturini (Modena Rugby 1965)
20. Angelo Maurizi (Rugby Union of L’Aquila)
21. Gianmarco Piva (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
22. Giacomo Da Re (Mogliano Rugby 1969)
23. Federico Mori (Rugby Etruschi Livorno)
