GLASGOW ace Stuart Hogg has dismissed claims Scotland have gone backwards since the World Cup after defeat to England.

Vern Cotter’s Dark Blues kicked off their RBS Six Nations campaign with a disappointing 15-9 defeat to the Auld Enemy at BT Murrayfield.

The Scots had been tipped to claim a Calcutta Cup victory as a result of an inspirational campaign at this summer’s rugby showpiece.

A run to the quarter-finals was brought to a tragic end for Scotland in dramatic circumstances, as they were robbed of a place in the last four courtesy of a last-gasp controversial try.

Given these heroics, much was expected on Saturday evening of the hosts who never really fully asserted themselves against an England team that didn’t even make it out of their own World Cup group, despite being hosts.

Hogg, who had a fine game at fullback, admits there is work to be done ahead of next weekend’s trip to Wales. However, he refuses to accept that all momentum has been lost.

“No, definitely not,” said the 23-year-old. “The high of the World Cup we had is in the past now.

“We will continue to learn and work hard on the training pitch.

“Getting a win first up would have done wonders for everybody but unfortunately that’s not the case. Again, though, we will knuckle down, work hard and see what happens next week.”

The game could have been so different if Scotland had taken at least one of the few chances they created.

The best opportunity for a try arguably came on 57 minutes when Glasgow Warriors’ Finn Russell intercepted a pass to launch a breakaway.

However, with just man to beat and Hogg on the overlap, the 23-year-old failed to see his club-mate to his left and kicked long into touch.

“I was calling for it but he apologised straight away as soon as he kicked it,” he said. “On another day we would have scored that.

“It’s these little margins that are difference between winning and losing games, and it’s very unfortunate we didn’t take our chances.”

While Scotland were perhaps not at their clinical best, they did show a composure and maturity in dealing with the prospect of opening up their Six Nations bid with such a massive fixture.

Cotter’s players did not look overawed by the occasion, even with the majority of a packed Murrayfield behind them as well as the eyes of millions watching from home.

“We have had a few people in to talk about this. We leave all emotions after the anthems and then we just look to play rugby,” said Hogg. “I thought we did that fairly well.

“I obviously got a wee bit excited at times when we got a penalty but that’s just me wanting to win.

“Obviously the boys are really disappointed but you can’t dwell on it too much. We have got to keep our heads up.”

Assessing his team’s showing, head coach Cotter added: "We probably weren't accurate enough.

"It is clear to see that, at times, we created opportunities enough to win the game. We just weren't accurate enough at keeping the ball.

"It was a frustrating game but the positive thing is we can put a lot of things right very quickly.

"As a team we can get so much better."