RORY DARGE has “progressed brilliantly” as he bids to shake off a knee injury ahead of the Six Nations opening weekend, according to Scotland assistant coach John Dalziel.

The Glasgow flanker is hoping to be fit for Scotland’s game against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday after suffering a knee strain against Edinburgh at the end of December.

Dalziel said: “It was great to have Rory back in last week, with the support of his club and national team medical team, to get him assessed. He is completely on track.

“We have put no time scale on it, we just want to try and make sure he is available for either game one or game two.

“He has progressed brilliantly and run well today (Tuesday) as well, so there will be a decision on that, whether it’s this week or next weekend.”

The 23-year-old forward was named co-captain along with Finn Russell ahead of the tournament after Jamie Ritchie was taken out of the position. But Dalziel stressed there was a collective responsibility in the squad.

“There’s always been a shared leadership no matter who our captain is,” the forwards coach said from Scotland’s training camp in Spain. “We rely heavily on the leadership group.

“Somebody with Rory Darge’s talent, being a young man doesn’t go against him, he has always been part of that leadership group. We feel the next stage for him is to take a bit more on his shoulders.

“With Finn, we have the key strengths of what Finn brings as a rugby player but also his knowledge of the game, he leads in a different way. We look at that contrast. And it also frees Finn up to lead in meetings and chat more about the bigger picture.

“The blend is excellent but these two guys are supported as well by guys like Jamie Ritchie, past captains, Grant Gilchrist.”