Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter believes a winning start to the Six Nations is imperative against England, saying: "We simply have to do it".

Cusiter: Wants to keep errors down to a minimum

On Saturday Scotland be seeking just a second opening-day win in 13 attempts since the Six Nations began in 2000, the only previous success coming against France in 2006, when Cusiter was also involved.

The 29-year-old Glasgow Warriors number nine, like his team-mates, is frustrated with Scotland's gallant losers tag and is eager for a Calcutta Cup victory to spark a successful campaign.

Cusiter said: "It's good for us to play England first up - the occasion and the excitement around this game is good for us to hopefully start well.

"We haven't had a great record in the Six Nations over the past couple of years.

"We've had so many near misses and close losses that we have to win some games.

"We realise how important tomorrow is and how important it is to get off to a winning start.

"We're determined to have a successful campaign in the Six Nations and tomorrow's such a huge game in that regard that we simply have to win.

"We've come on the wrong side of so many close games, it's so frustrating and quite sickening at times.

"We want to enjoy our time with Scotland and get some wins, which we feel we deserve."

Cusiter is set to win his 56th cap, but will be making his first start since the 2010 Six Nations, when he was captain in Andy Robinson's first campaign as Scotland head coach.

A knee injury ruled Cusiter out of the 2011 campaign and he returned for the World Cup, before forcing his way ahead of Mike Blair and Rory Lawson due to his form for Glasgow in recent weeks.

After all the talk, Cusiter is eager to get going.

He said: "I'm really, really chuffed with getting this first opportunity in the Six Nations. It's been a long time since I had a start so I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's such an exciting game to play in. I've been lucky enough to play in a few and they're always special occasions, particularly up here at Murrayfield.

"We just want to get going. It seems like a long build-up. There's been so much chat - it will be good to go and play the game.

"We need to do the basics really well, hold onto the ball in their half, make sure we don't make too many mistakes in defence.

"If we make fewer mistakes than them and we attack as we know we can, we've got a good chance of winning the game."