The team is:

1: Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland)

2: Asafo Aumua (Wellington)

3: Ryan Coxon (Waikato)

4: Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)

5: Samuel Slade (Auckland)

6: Dalton Papalii (Auckland)

7: Tom Christie (Canterbury)

8: Luke Jacobson – Captain (Waikato)

9: Ereatara Enari – Vice Captain (Canterbury)

10:Tiaan Falcon (Hawke's Bay)

11: Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman)

12: Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)

13: Braydon Ennor (Canterbury)

14: Josh McKay (Canterbury)

15: Will Jordan (Tasman)



16: John (JP) Sauni (Auckland)

17: Tim Farrell (Hawke's Bay)

18: Alex Fidow (Wellington)

19: Sam Caird (Waikato)

20: Marino Mikaele -Tuu (Hawke's Bay)

21: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington)

22: Thomas Umaga Jensen (Wellington)

23: Caleb Clarke (Auckland)

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said it was a tough task selecting his first 23 to take on Scotland.

“All 28 guys in our squad have earned the right to wear the black jersey, so there was a lot of discussion around our selection. We have chosen an experienced team to kick off the tournament.

“We expect Scotland to be direct, physical and passionate on both attack and defence, so we have picked our team accordingly.

“Obviously, we want to make a good start to the tournament. It’s been the best part of three weeks since the Oceania Championships, so we want to get back up to where we were at that tournament in terms of our attack and defence.”

Under 20 World Championship Pool:

Wednesday 31 May, 9.00pm NZT v Scotland

Sunday 4 June 11.30pm NZT v Italy

Thursday 8 June 11.30pm NZT v Ireland

Watch the World Rugby Under 20 Championship on SKY Sport (NZT)

Wednesday 31 May, 9.00pm NZT v Scotland on SKY Sport 3

Sunday 4 June 11.30pm NZT v Italy on SKY Sport 1

Thursday 8 June 11.30pm NZT v Ireland SKY Sport 1