Chris Cusiter Scotland scrum-half

Chris Cusiter takes time out from preparations for the Six Nations match with Italy to answer some of your many e-mails.

What caused your little 'shove about' with Dwayne Peel on Saturday? And was it serious?
Rakhi, 18, Kettering

I am a very competitive person and try to play rugby to the best of my ability everytime I play. The game was pretty intense, and if I remember correctly that scrum had to be reset.

I think as the whistle went, we were both thinking 'quick tap'! As you say, it was just a quick shove, and nothing more. We had a chat after the match and it was quickly forgotten.

What ball game will Scotland be playing against the Italians?
Gavin Templeton, 13, Herts

I think we'll be trying to continue where we left off against Wales and hopefully score some tries too. We always try to play quick, attacking rugby and try to cause the opposition a few problems.

However, we can also keep it tight and attack using a more forward orientated style. You'll have to see on Saturday how we go and be sure to let me know what you think.

How did you get into rugby and did you ever play as anything but scrum-half ?
Conall Black, 13, Linlithgow

I got into rugby at school in Aberdeen, and had a strong family influence with my brother and dad both having played the game.

I have pretty much always played scrum half, save for a season when I was ten when I played centre. I think the coach took one look at me and thought 'too small to be anything else'!

Hi Chris. I haven't played rugby now for almost 6 years and am very keen to get back into it. Being a former RGC pupil myself, and having played alongside you in the past, what advice would you give to someone who hasn't played the game for this amount of time?
Christopher Jackson, 23, Guernsey

I imagine the easiest way would be to join a local club, and get back into it that way.

Playing rugby is about fun at any level, so make sure you enjoy it, and I've always found that you get out what you put in. A basic level of fitness might also help you avoid injury.

Do you agree that if we really up our game to the level which we can perform, that we can make the World Cup semi-finals ?
David, 40, Thailand

I think that should we manage to get out of our group and through to the quarter finals, all you need is 2 big performances to reach the final.

We know we are capable of beating the best in Europe, as we beat France last year and I believe that on our day we could beat anyone.

But that's just me talking, everyone has their own opinions. As players we are confident in our abilities and our team.

I was born in Hawick, a good old Borders rugby town and home to some great Scottish scrum halfs. There would seem to be a dearth of players from the Borders at the moment. What do you think is the cause of this?
Robin, 36, Stevenage

There are quite a few Borderers playing top level rugby at the moment, for example - Chris Paterson, Nikki Walker, Scott McLeod, Ross Ford.

It is true that the traditionally strong Border clubs are struggling just now, with only Melrose and Hawick in Premier One, and I think the area in general is struggling with an exodus of young players to the cities for reasons such as university and employment.

Hopefully that trend will reverse soon, because there is a great history of rugby in the Borders.

Well done on the win on Saturday! It's fantastic to see you back in the squad, but with your injury how did you manage to recover in such a short space of time for the Six Nations and play for nearly a full game without looking at all unfit?!
Jacqui Kennedy, 16, Kilwinning

I had great treatment after my injury, treatment above and beyond the call of duty.

My surgeon Gordon MacKay operated on my shoulder the day after the injury happened, on his day off. My physiotherapists Louise and Danny at the Borders put up with my early morning bad moods and general grumpiness and helped me through all my different stages of rehabilitation.

I also had great help in getting fit again from Phil Mack at the Borders, Mark Bitcon at Murrayfield and Scott Crawford from the Scottish Institute of Sport.

After watching Italy dominate England for large portions of the game on Saturday do you now feel that perhaps we might have done better against England or should I be worried about the quality of the Italians.
Andrew Davidson, 37, Oxford

I think people generally underestimate Italy, but it wasn't a surprise to me that they did quite well against England.

They have one of the strongest packs in the Championship, and I know we will have to be at the top of our game on Saturday to win. Yes, I believe we should have done better against England, as I believe that we were capable of winning the game.

However we didn't play well enough, and fair play to England, they played well and beat us.

If you would like to ask Chris a question during the course of the Six Nations, fill in the form at the top right of this page.