HOW THE RUGBY WORLD RESPONDED TO SCOTLAND’S HARROWING DEFEAT...

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson on Twitter: World rugby acknowledge that it was a knock on and not offside for ‘penalty’. Feel sick again for the boys. Protocol must change. Wales captain Sam Warburton on Twitter: @StuartWHOGG_15 you boys be proud mate, played awesome. Gutted for you guys. If anyone can understand it’s the Welsh! Congrats buddy. England legend Jonny Wilkinson on Twitter: Phenomenal performance & effort from Scotland team. Put on a show for us vs Aus and throughout entire RWC15. A hell of a squad u have there! Former Australia winger David Campese on Twitter: My thoughts last night. Great performance @Scotlandteam. We survived though so go @Wallabies

Former Scotland captain David Sole: ‘It will be very hard for Scotland’s heroic players to set aside their disappointment of yesterday’s game. Yet, for some, it will be the moment that defines the future for them.’ Former England hooker Brian Moore on Twitter: Brave, very brave Scotland. Commiserations.

Former Scotland centre Scott Hastings: ‘I am so proud of the way the team played against Australia and these young players can take Scotland forward in the years to come leading up to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.’ Former England winger Ugo Monye on Twitter: I’m truly gutted for Scotland, such a shame... there’s a lot of misplaced anger towards Craig Joubert, blame the system not the ref.

Former Scotland stand-off Craig Chalmers: ‘The encouraging thing is that most of the team will still be playing in four years and will have learned a lot from this experience. It was a harsh lesson for them, but it is one that, if they learn what they need to, could still lay the platform for a better future.’