The Scots will be keen to bounce back after last weekend's narrow defeat to Wales in Colwyn Bay.
Callum Norrie starts at tight-head prop for the visit of the French, having been a late call-up to the starting XV in Colwyn Bay last weekend.
Ruaraidh Hart once again serves as vice-captain from the second-row, having turned in an industrious performance in the engine room last weekend.
Jonny Morris is promoted from the replacements bench to start at number eight, the back-rower having featured for Glasgow Warriors in September's pre-season clash with Zebre Parma.
Behind the scrum, Kerr Yule retains his place in the midfield, having crashed over for a try in Colwyn Bay last weekend.
The all-Glasgow back-three all retain their places in the starting XV, as Fergus Watson is flanked by Kerr Johnston and Amena Caqusau.
Callum Smyth is set for his first appearance of the competition after being named on the bench, the loose-head prop having been a former recipient of the Macphail Scholarship prior to linking up with the squad at Scotstoun.
Ryan Burke rounds out the Glasgow cohort, the Milngavie-born second-rower pulling on the number 19 jersey on Friday night.
Scotland take on France in Edinburgh this Friday night, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
Scotland U20 team to face France U20 on Friday 9 February at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh (kick off 8pm, live on BBC iPlayer)
15 Fergus Watson* (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Kerr Johnston* (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders/Brunel University) - Vice Captain
12 Kerr Yule* (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Amena Caqusau* (Glasgow Warriors)
10 Isaac Coates* (Edinburgh Rugby)
9 Murdoch Lock (Bath Rugby/Bath University)
1 Robbie Deans* (Edinburgh Rugby)
2 Elliot Young (Exeter Chiefs/Exeter University)
3 Callum Norrie* (Glasgow Warriors)
4 Theo Currie (Harlequins/Swansea University)
5 Ruaraidh Hart* (Glasgow Warriors) - Vice Captain
6 Liam McConnell* (Edinburgh Rugby) - Captain
7 Freddy Douglas* (Edinburgh Rugby)
8 Jonny Morris* (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements
16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty* (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Callum Smyth* (Glasgow Warriors)
18 Ryan Whitefield (Biggar RFC)
19 Ryan Burke* (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Archie Clarke (Durham University)
21 Monroe Job (Southern Knights)
22 Hector Patterson* (Edinburgh Rugby)
23 Jack Hocking* (Edinburgh Rugby)
*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player