Al Kellock: Hopes Scotland can shock England

The Glasgow forward is one of 35 players hoping to be named in interim Scotland head coach Scott Johnson's first line-up when they kick off their Six Nations campaign against England on February 2.

A winning start will require the Scots to undo three decades worth of disappointment by becoming the first side from north of the border to win at Twickenham since 1983.

That will be a tough feat given recent history between the two teams - Scotland have managed just two wins from the last 13 contests - and their sagging morale following November's 21-15 defeat to Tonga.

However, Kellock remains hopeful of an upset.

The 31-year-old said: "It is a huge game. The first game of the Six Nations is always massive, so why not have it at Twickenham?

"The last game we had for Scotland was a huge disappointment, for everyone concerned. But this is now an opportunity for us to put it to bed.

"If we win, it gets us off to a fantastic start in the competition. It's key to get a bit of momentum at the beginning.

"It would be unbelievable if we did it. I'd love it. I've been lucky enough to play England a few times - beaten them up here, drawn with them up here and pushed them close down there when Max Evans scored that great try when he kicked it over the top in 2011.

"We had a disappointing result in Auckland in the World Cup when we were fantastic for 70 minutes but they scored a breakaway at the end.

"They are all special games but to win one down there would put you in among the legends of Scottish rugby."

The Twickenham fixture will be Johnson's first since taking over from Andy Robinson, who resigned following the Pittodrie calamity against Tonga.

Despite taking charge of a side who trudged off with the wooden spoon following five straight defeats in last year's contest, the straight-taking Australian insists Scotland have the potential to compete well this time around.

And former Scotland captain Kellock has taken to the new man's approach.

He said: "Scott hasn't changed much. Rugby is rugby, after all. But he has got his own ideas and Dean Ryan has also come in with a few different things as well.

"It's about making improvements. They have done their analysis on the way we play and they have said that we can change things subtly to make us better."

Johnson's first act as interim head coach was to name a 35-man training squad, which included Kellock and 18 of his Glasgow team-mates.

And the former Edinburgh player believes he and his club colleagues will have no problem mixing with the capital side's current crop.

He said: "When you see there are 19 of you in the squad and 25 of the group have played for Glasgow at some point, it does help you settle.

"But once you are in the squad it is all about Scotland. There is friendly rivalry with your mates who play for Edinburgh and the other exiles, but everyone is aware we are all trying to do our best for Scotland."