MATTY Russell’s World Cup ended with Scotland’s quarter-final defeat to New Zealand at Headingley on Friday.

Warrington Wolves’ new full back signing, brought back to Super League from Gold Coast Titans in Australia, featured in all four games and gained rave reviews.

The 20-year-old, a Wigan Warriors product who spent time on loan with Hull FC in 2012, impressively ended the campaign as Scotland’s top try scorer, tackle buster, run maker and offloader across the matches played against Tonga, Italy, USA and defending champions the Kiwis.

It was his impact in the three group games, including his 71st minute match-winning try in the Group C opener against Tonga in Workington, that marked him out as the Bravehearts’ leading threat going into the clash with the Kiwis.

Man-mountain Manu Vatuvai walloped Russell early in the game, leaving his face full of claret after almost using him as a shovel to dig up the Headingley turf.

But Russell stuck to the task well, staying busy with the ball as well as being kept active by the classy New Zealand attack that got a grip of proceedings midway through the first half and crossed for eight tries in a 40-4 success.

He will now have a break before reporting for pre-season training ahead of his debut campaign with Wolves in the number one shirt vacated by Brett Hodgson.