Scots brace for Bok onslaught: 'Such a tough battle to get out of this group'

Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell says his side face an uphill battle to emerge from a stacked Rugby World Cup group that includes holders South Africa and the world's top-ranked side Ireland.

The Scots open their Pool B games against South Africa on Sunday before confronting Tonga, Romania and Ireland in that order.

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Scotland have reached the World Cup knockouts just once since 2007 but are in good form, having won seven of their past 10 Tests.

"It's going to be such a tough battle to get out of this group," 30-year-old Russell told AFP.

"That's got to be our main focus. We can't start looking ahead, we've got to just make sure that we do everything we can to try and get out of this group," he added.

Despite Scotland's impressive recent results, their record against three-time World Cup winners South Africa is poor.

They have beaten the Springboks just twice since the turn of the century.

"I think if we get them first up, then no matter what the result is, win or lose, we've got 13 days to switch off and refocus," Russell said.

"Switch off for a few days, refocus back into that Tonga game. It's quite a good first-up game."

Russell is about to embark on his third World Cup but his relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend has had its ups and downs.

He has been left out of Townsend's squad on several occasions due to differing opinions between the two.

"I've changed. I've had a baby now so that's a bit different," Russell said.

"Between me and Gregor there's been a few changes for both of us.

"But we're in a really good situation going into this World Cup which is great," he added.

Influential Russell knows the World Cup's home country very well.

Until June, he lived in the