CHRIS CUSITER has admitted the RBS Six Nations Championship opener with England could make or break the Scots campaign.

Such has been the level of change in the England inter- national set-up since Martin Johnson's departure and the instalment of Stuart Lancaster as interim head coach, the English side that take to Murrayfield at 5pm on Saturday will almost be experimental.

Scotland will enjoy huge advantages in terms of exper-ience and the Scots pack is also expected to be the more powerful at the scrum but, with England last savouring success on Scots soil back in 2004, the history books also seem to point to a home win.

But Cus, whose superb form for Glasgow behind the Warriors pack in Europe saw him get the nod from head coach Andy Robinson ahead of Edinburgh's Mike Blair, says there is no way the Scots will underestimate their youthful English opponents and was in no mood to play down the importance of a home success.

The Scotland No.9 said: "A lot is being made of the fact this is a new-look English side and that we are going to have a big advantage over them in terms of experience, but I think that is a double-edged sword.

"What England will have with the side that runs out at Murrayfield is the self-belief that comes with youth and the hunger to prove all the people who are saying they aren't experienced enough wrong.

"On top of that, there is the whole Auld Enemy aspect of the Calcutta Cup which means you can't really draw any logical conclusions such is the passion the game arouses. But I also believe that with this being the Six Nations opener for both sides, there is definitely an added importance to the game.

"For us with it being at Murray- field it is vital we get off to a winning start and send our fans off home in happy mood. We know we did not do well enough at home last season when we were poor against Wales and we know we have to make amends for that and the Ireland game we also lost at Murrayfield. The chance to do so against the English is something we are relishing."

Scotland will be led out by hooker Ross Ford, but Cusiter's ability to boss his pack and disrupt his opposite number Ben Foden will be pivotal.

Having largely been consigned to the role of substitute at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand – where his total playing time was only 27 minutes – Cusiter is desperate for action.

He said: "Obviously I am thrilled to be in the starting line-up and just want to produce my best form. We know there is a sense of expectation on us to make up for the loss to the English at the Rugby World Cup last year and we know that this time it is all about getting the right results.

"Every one of us is totally focused on delivering the win we all want."