Stuart Hogg disappointed after Scotland's early World Cup exit

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg expressed his disappointment at his team's performance in the ongoing World Cup where they were eliminated in the opening round.

Gregor Townsend's men started the tournament with a 27-3 loss against Ireland but redeemed themselves with dominating wins over Samoa and Russia to keep their quarter-finals hope alive.

Despite, the uncertainty due to Typhoon Hagibis, their final game of the round against Japan kicked-off in Yokohama with the Dark Blues needing a bonus-point victory but despite a close opening quarter, it was the Brave Blossoms, who managed to hold their nerve to complete a 28-21 win that sent Scotland out of the tournament.

"We can't keep saying we'll be better for this experience because we've said that before," said Hogg.

"The hard truth is, if we don't get better, it's going to be the same situation.

"I don't think it's actually kicked in what's happened. When it does, it will eat away at me for a long, long time. It's going to hurt. But this is the place we've put ourselves in."

The encounter against Japan was Scotland's 22nd game when Gregor Townsend took over as the coach replacing Vern Cotter and since then they have gone on to win 11 games, losing 10 and one finished in a draw.

The Scotland boss echoed Hogg's feelings and believes the team has a lot of potential to create a turnaround.

"There's a lot more in this team. Experiences are what make you as a group and how you react to those experiences.

"That was a unique situation we were in tonight, we knew it was always going to be a challenge given the way Japan were playing, given our turnaround.

"But we had the team and ability and the start of that game to go on and win it by the necessary amount of points. That we didn't is hugely disappointing and we'll have to learn from that.

"You don't get another shot in a World Cup for four years but we've got to improve as we hit our next tournament which will be the Six Nations in a few months' time."

Scotland's next international game will be on 1st February where they take on Ireland in the opening round of the Six Nations 2020 in Lansdowne Road.