Alasdair Strokosch is known as a master of the dark arts and will play a key role if Scotland are to win the Six Nations opener with England.

Strokosch: Expects a scrap with England

The Gloucester blindside is the most experienced member of Scotland's Calcutta Cup back row, combining with openside Ross Rennie, who has 11 caps, and number eight David Denton, who will be making his first start in his second international appearance.

Strokosch, who has 23 caps, is happy with the complementary elements of Scotland's back row.

He said: "It's a good back row. There's a good balance to it. Ross is a classy seven who steals a lot of ball.

"Dents is a bruiser, a big athlete who is going to carry the ball really

hard.

"It's my job to go out there, stop them and use my work rate to get on top of them.

"You can't have a team full of showboaters. You need someone to allow them to by creating space.''

While many of the England side will be new opponents to the Scotland team, the visitors are familiar foes for Strokosch, who has played for Gloucester since 2007.

The 28-year-old will not be underestimating his England counterparts.

He added: "They're a strong team, they always will be with the playing numbers and talent they've got at their disposal.

"They might have something different this time with the new generation they've got coming through.

"They've got a strong unit in the back row, the back three's full of pace as

well.

"They have got weapons they can use against us, but at the same team, it's not a team we're afraid of.

"There's a lot of opportunities for us to exploit and we need to find a way to win.

"We've got our game plan, we've got our structures. We've got to have faith in them and use them to our advantage.

"It's a massive challenge.''