More Wallaby than wannabe

London - Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell grew up idolising Australia, but now thinks his team-mates are as good as the Wallabies, according to the Daily Mail website.

Russell's belief no doubt stems from Scotland's agonising - and controversial - last-minute 35-34 defeat at the hands of Australia in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham last Sunday.

"When I was younger I looked up to guys like Matt Giteau and Will Genia, but we showed them we were as good as them, if not better for spells (on Sunday).

"We're a completely different team from the Six Nations. We're on a par with the best in the world," Russell, 23, said.

Scotland finished as wooden spoonists in this year's Six Nations, finishing without a victory in their five matches.

Despite Russell's optimism, bookmakers Sportingbet see Scotland as finishing fifth in next year's Six Nations.