Lewis Moody has warned England to be wary of a Scotland backlash in their Six Nations opener – although the former Red Rose captain has little sympathy for the Auld Enemy after their cruel exit from Rugby World Cup 2015.

Scotland were set for a Rugby World Cup semi-final place in October before a contentious decision from referee Craig Joubert with just two minutes remaining ended their dreams of a shock upset against Australia.

But although former 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Moody acknowledged the Scots’ sense of injustice will have them fired up for Saturday’s clash at Murrayfield, he stressed their need to shoulder responsibility for the exit after failing to claim their line-out at the start of the move.

“I am expecting England to win although it will be a very tough game. Scotland have played out of their skin of late, certainly during Rugby World Cup 2015” said Land Rover ambassador Moody, who was speaking at the annual HITZ awards. Land Rover is a partner of HITZ, a programme that uses sport for change, helping youngsters overcome some of lives biggest employment, education and social challenges.

“They’ll still be reeling from that defeat which they feel very hard done by. But for me that was just a really good example of what delivery of success looks like at the highest level."

“If you want to be successful then you have to nail the basics. Scotland had the line out, and it was theirs to win and to keep the ball then the game was done, so they will be reeling from that, so that could be bad for England."

“But if you can deal with that passion and weather the storm then they should have enough talent and enough fire power to finish Scotland off. But at home Scotland are a very different team to what they are away.”

Moody has been impressed with new England head coach Eddie Jones’s reign so far, even if he was disappointed to see the likes of Matt Kvesic and Elliot Daly omitted from the squad to face Scotland.

But the former flanker believes Owen Farrell starting at inside centre was “a necessity” due to Manu Tuilagi’s injury and had no qualms with the versatile Ollie Devoto occupying a spot in the 23-man squad.

Capped 71-times by his country, Moody knows more than most about forwards play and has warned the likes of former skipper Chris Robshaw and his back row colleagues they need to excel in the Six Nations if they are to keep rising star Jack Clifford out of the side.

Moody added: “Being a former back row it’s great to see Clifford included, he’s had a star run of games this season."

“That’s what I like to see as a former player: guys that not only come through, but shine when they do. Those guys just need to be given the opportunity to play and show you what they can do, then that drives the competition for places."

“The more players we have coming through, training hard and putting pressure on each other to earn that jersey, the better performances you’re going to get out of the players."

“Clifford is an exciting inclusion; he’s definitely going to keep Robshaw, Haskell and Vunipola on their toes.”

Lewis Moody is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover is a partner of HITZ, the sport for change programme, and supporter of the annual HITZ Awards which recognises the youngsters HITZ helps. @LandRover_UK #WeDealInReal