SCOTLAND rugby star Adam Ashe admits he is heartbroken after injury robbed him of the chance to face the auld enemy England at Murrayfield in the Six Nations opener this weekend.

The Wee County native suffered a shoulder injury while competing for Glasgow Warriors against Northampton last week and he was gutted to receive the news late last week that it would rule him out for the next few weeks.

The former Alva Academy pupil revealed can't even face attending the match because he is so disappointed to be missing such a huge match, but hopes his team mates can secure a memorable victory in his absence.

Ashe told Advertiser Sport: “It is disappointing to have to withdraw from the squad on the eve of such a massive game.

"I was really unfortunate to pick up a shoulder injury playing for the Warriors against Northampton a couple of days before the squad was announced.

"I was hopeful that it might have recovered in time for the game, but it has taken a bit longer than expected. It is on the mend now, but realistically I probably won't be back fit until the middle game of the tournament.

“The England games are always special and I played in the one down there last year, so to miss this one at home is heart breaking for me.

"It will be such a big occasion and the atmosphere will be amazing at Murrayfield, but I can't put myself through it because I get too frustrated that I am not involved so I will likely just watch it in the house.

"I will be annoyed that I am not on the pitch myself, but I know the boys can still get the job done and I will be cheering them on from afar.

“The World Cup was fantastic for us as a nation and as a result there is a good buzz about the camp so hopefully we can take that momentum into the Six Nations now.

"There is a real belief there that we are a good team and one that can really challenge for this tournament. We can beat anyone on our day and we just need to believe that for every minute of our games.”

Ashe has now just focusing on getting himself back fit and available for the Warriors in the hope that he can still play some part in this year's Six Nations campaign and he sees the third match of the campaign as a realistic target.

He said: “The plan is just to get myself back fit and then try to get a game at club level before I can get back in, but that's what I intend to do and hopefully I can get back up to speed quickly and back in the mix with Scotland.

"The main thing is to rehab the injury properly and get back on the pitch then hopefully I can catch the coach's eye. There is a break after the first two games which gives me a chance to get a game for Glasgow under my belt and then hopefully be back in contention by the time the third game comes around.

"I will now be looking to the middle/end of the tournament to hopefully get myself back on the pitch and do my bit for my country. If things go well and I am playing well for Glasgow then hopefully I can get my foot back in the door, but we just need to wait and see what happens.”

The 22-year-old has sympathy for his fellow Wee County rugby star Grant Gilchrist, who he came up through the ranks with on route to the professional ranks after the big lock endured a miserable 2015 being sidelined by injury, and now he hopes his team mate is finally ready to put his woes behind him.

Ashe added: “I feel for big Grant because he has had a torrid time with injuries recently. He has had a lot longer on the sidelines than me and it has been a huge frustration for him, but that is the nature of the sport we play.

"It is about taking hits and injuries are just part and parcel of the game we love. He has done well to get himself back training with the national squad and I think he will be near to full fitness in a few weeks time so that is positive.

"It has been a long layoff for him though so I am sure he is just raring to get back on the pitch like myself and it is great to see him back.”