Alex Grove believes Scotland will be taking a step into the unknown when they face England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Worcester centre, who is due to play for Scotland A against the England Saxons tomorrow night, says this year’s Calcutta Cup match is impossible to predict because so much has changed in Stuart Lancaster squad.

England could field up to half-a-dozen players with no or minimal international experienced and a team without any settled combinations.

And Grove thinks that could help the visitors: “There is a real blend of uncapped players and more established ones,” the 24-year-old said. “The unknown quantity is as dangerous as the experience because no-one has a clue how England are going to play.

“There’s new management, a lot of new players but can they make it gel and turn things around so quickly?”

As for Scotland, there are only two new caps in Andy Robinson’s line-up, Edinburgh No. 8 David Denton and wing Lee Jones, in what is a familiar looking side.

The experienced half backs Dan Parks and Chris Cusiter will try to put England under pressure more than Ruaridh Jackson and Michael Blair managed when the sides met in the Rugby World Cup. Scotland were eliminated in the group stages in New Zealand after narrow defeats to England and Argentina but Grove says there is plenty to build on.

“I thought Scotland were unlucky especially against Argentina when they dominated the game for 70 minutes and made one slip and Amorosino scored.

“And there is no way Contepomi is that quick over 5m, if he’s not three yards offside Dan Parks hits that drop goal and it’s a different story.

“The boys played some really good rugby and I think they came back with their heads held high. Hopefully we can carry that on in the Six Nations.”