GLASGOW stand-off Finn Russell says Scotland are out to prove a point at the World Cup following a winless RBS Six Nations campaign.
Vern Cotter's team lost every game they played during the tournament earlier this year as they collected the wooden spoon with zero points gained.
However, the bottom placing is only partly responsible for the sense of frustration felt by Scotland supporters. The majority of it comes from the fact their team played gallantly in several games only to come up just short.
Five penalties put the Scots to the sword in a tight 15-8 Parisian defeat in their opener before they went agonisingly close to beating Wales at BT Murrayfield only to come up just short in a 23-26 reverse, while a last-gasp try robbed them against Italy.
"There's a few games like that," said the 22-year-old when reflecting on the country's glorious failures in February and March. "The first one in Paris they didn't score a try and [Camille] Lopez won the game by kicking goals. It was a good performance and we just couldn't get the result.
"It was the same against Wales where we were unfortunate to not get the ball over the line a couple of times, and against Italy we've just missed out.
"There are loads of positives we can take from it. I think the style of rugby we are playing and the way we have bonded has been amazing. There are quite a few new guys in the team so to gel as we have brings a lot of positives going into the World Cup.
"It's good having the world cup here coming up soon. The Six Nations are by us now and we need to say 'right that's it done', take the positives and move on.
"Everyone has club games to worry about so that's been the focus. When it comes to the World Cup, though, everyone will be on the same page and focused on the same positive outcome."
While the experience of playing for his country in a Six Nations tournament is something that clearly fills the Stirling man with pride, many will ultimately remember Russell's tournament for a tackle on Wales' Dan Biggar that resulted in a two week suspension which kept him out of the tie against Italy.
"It was one of those things for me. In rugby these decisions sometimes go against you," said the Glasgow Warriors rising star.
"I got over it pretty quickly. I missed a couple of games but it wasn't too bad. Part of that was due to the support I got from everyone, it was so overwhelming. That helped so much.
"Although the result and the decision in the end went against me, it's just one of these things. I'm young enough to learn from that gain from that experience."
Finn Russell was speaking at the announcement of the gala dinner to be held on Thursdsay September 10 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow ahead of the Scotland team departing for the World Cup. Proceeds from the event will be shared between the Bill McLaren Foundation and the charity Hearts and Balls. Tickets go on sale tomorrow priced at £100 from www.heartsandballs.org.uk and www.billmclarenfoundation.co.uk
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