Rugby World Cup: Stuart Hogg insists there WILL be a reaction from bruised Scotland

A frustrated Stuart Hogg exchanges words with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose during the 27-3 loss in Yokohama. Picture: Getty Images

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg insists there will be a response from the distressing torment of a torrid 27-3 working over by a vastly superior Ireland team in their World Cup opener in Yokohama.

The Scots must stew on their dismal flop for a week now before their second match against Samoa in Kobe next Monday.

“We need to make sure we’re in the right place mentally for next week and we have enough characters in the team to ensure that happens,” said Hogg, who didn’t have anything to celebrate about what was his 70th cap.

“There will be a reaction. We’re downbeat, we’re annoyed and we’re frustrated at how we played.

“But we will get an opportunity next week and we need to put it right. We just have to stop killing ourselves. We are frustrated, but we move.”

Hogg said the performance was even more unacceptable considering the players have spent 100 days together in camp leaving no stone unturned in the build-up.

“It’s hugely disappointing. I’ve not been involved with in a Scotland camp for a long, long time where we’d prepared ourselves so well,” added the 27-year-old.

“We’e absolutely gutted with the way it played out and the way we reacted. You can’t just sit back and admire teams and play the way we did at times.

“As good as Ireland are, we know we are better than that.

“All last week we spoke about not beating ourselves. But the first three Ireland tries all came from our own mistakes.

“The first half especially we just did not contest and we know that’s not good enough.”