Six Nations 2015: Finn Russell thinks Scotland will learn fast

Scotland were left disappointed after a heavy loss to Ireland

Finn Russell admits Scotland's poor Six Nations campaign proved he is still an apprentice player but backed himself and the side to learn fast.

The nimble fly-half, 22, did a neat sidestep when asked if he agreed with team-mate Dave Denton that they could win the World Cup later this year.

"Being young, I've only played one year of pro rugby, so the last four games I've learned a lot from it," he said.

"For us just now it's about getting tighter as a team."

Russell broke into the Glasgow Warriors side last year and quickly earned a first Scotland call-up in the summer.

"It was my ninth international and you learn that, at that level, it is a split second and you're down by 10 points or whatever," he said in reference to Saturday's 40-10 defeat by Ireland.

"It does, as a young player, let you realise how quick the game is and how good the opposition is."

Scotland had gone into their first Six Nations under head coach Vern Cotter with renewed optimism but emerged with the Wooden Spoon after five straight defeats.

Russell admits that there will now be fewer expectations on the team going into the World Cup but insists "we can turn it around".

Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson famously targeted winning the World Cup when he took charge and forward Denton stood by that even after the heavy loss to Ireland.

Asked if he agreed, Russell said: "Obviously every team's target is to win the World Cup.

Glasgow Warriors fly-half Finn Russell has made nine international appearances

"For us, after the Six Nations, we will be going into the World Cup to put in good performances and hopefully the results will look after themselves.

"Losing five games is obviously not the best Six Nations. But, on the other side of that, there's a lot of positives we can take from that as we've played a lot of good rugby there.

"It gives us the added desire to get the results at the World Cup.

"It is small margins that are holding us back and not allowing us to get the results we want.

"The fans will be disappointed with the results, but at the same time we have been played a lot of good rugby, we're scoring tries, we're threatening in attack.

"By the time the World Cup comes around, we'll have one or two months together and it will be an improved team.

"If we can eradicate the slight negatives and mistakes, the results should turn around."