Scotland captain Ross Ford says it’s time the national side delivered on a consistent basis ahead of their Six Nations opener against England.

Andy Robinson’s side are still haunted by their early Rugby World Cup exit to the Auld Enemy last year.

In the build up to Saturday’s game, the Scotland coach labelled Martin Johnson’s side as ‘arrogant’

Ford now feels the stage is set for the players to put that defeat behind them when they take to the Murrayfield pitch on Saturday evening.

"I think it's about time we delivered," Ford said.

"We have had a lot of really good one-off wins. It is about time we delivered in a championship and that has to start on Saturday.

"(The World Cup defeat) was really disappointing. We knew we had under-performed and we had let ourselves down.

"Nobody wants to be unlucky losers. International rugby is about winning and that is what we want to do.

"This is a new tournament for us, a new Six Nations. We are looking forward now.

"Saturday is where it begins. It will be a brilliant occasion. These games always are.

"We have to turn up and deliver the performance."

Caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster will step into the unknown when his inexperienced team take on the Scots.

But Edinburgh player Ford says they will give their opponents the respect they deserve.

"They have got a new set-up and some fresh faces. They have performed at the highest level in the Premiership and the Heineken Cup," Ford said.

"They are experienced players and will be just as much a challenge as any other team in the Six Nations. We respect them. We have to make sure we earn it on the pitch.

"Our record is not too bad. We have got a couple of Calcutta Cup wins

"Everybody prepares in their own individual way and people may look at those experiences and use them.

"There is a history there but it is about what happens on Saturday and how we deliver a performance."