Buccaneers own Daniel Qualter will partner up with Iain Henderson in the second row while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely is named in the back row.
Centre JJ Hanarahan makes a return to the side from last year along with Sam Coghlan-Murray who has been named on the wing.
Kieran Marmion will take up the scrum half position and will partner Paddy Jackson who has been named at outhalf. Jackson will also captain this year's side.
Speaking ahead of the opening game Ruddock said "We are all looking forward to the start of the 6 Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class and we are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself."
Ireland U-20 v Wales U-20 (Dubarry Park, Athlone - Friday 3rd February 2012, Kick-off 7.05pm)
15 - Shane Layden (Buccaneers - Connacht)
14 - Barry Daly (UCD - Leinster)
13 - Foster Horan (Lansdowne - Leinster)
12 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians - Munster)
11 - Sam Coghlan-Murray (UCD - Leinster)
10 - Patrick Jackson (Dungannon - Ulster) Captain
9 - Kieran Marmion (Corinthians - Connacht)
1 - Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch - Ulster)
2 - Niall Scannell (Dolphin - Munster)
3 - Peter Reilly (Lansdowne - Leinster)
4 - Iain Henderson (QUB - Ulster)
5 - Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers - Connacht)
6 - Conor Gilsenan (UCD - Leinster)
7 - Aaron Conneely (Corinthians - Connacht)
8 - Jack Conan (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Replacements:
16 - Des Merrey (Clontarf - Leinster)
17 - James Rael (Garryowen - Munster)
18 - Jake Cawley (XXX - Leinster)
19 - Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne - Leinster)
20 - Jordan Coghlan (UCD - Leinster)
21 - Luke McGrath (UCD - Leinster)
22 - Cathal Marsh (Dublin University - Leinster)
23 - Christopher Farrell (Dungannon - Ulster)
