Scotland’s hopes of defeating England in Saturday’s Six Nations opener at Murrayfield (Scotland 11/8, England 4/7, Draw 20/1 Match Result) have been hit by the news centre Joe Ansbro and prop Alasdair Dickinson are both ruled out due to injury.

Ansbro has failed to recover from a back injury which sidelined him for London Irish’s recent Heineken Cup defeat at the hands of Edinburgh, while Sale Sharks’ 28-year-old Dickinson is still carrying a shoulder injury.

However, Scotland (25/1 Six Nations Outright) have been handed a boost for this weekend’s Six Nations curtain-raiser after it was revealed that Edinburgh’s back-row forward David Denton has resumed full training after picking up a hamstring problem against London Irish.

Scotland lead physiotherapist Paul McGinley said: “Alasdair was unable to train with the squad today as he is still recovering from the shoulder injury.

“We are returning him to continue his recovery with his club and we will reassess his situation after the England game.”

On 26-year-old Ansbro, McGinley added: “Joe came into our camp in St Andrews last week affected by a back injury which will need a longer period of rehabilitation.

“This will be undertaken at his club and he will be reassessed following the England game.”