DRESSED in a kilt outside the Scotland changing rooms at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, Warrington Wolves winger Matty Russell told in his Wigan twang of the pride he feels for representing his country.

But the 23-year-old, who was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, was suddenly left almost speechless when informed what the Scotland head coach Steve McCormack had to say about him after Saturday's 38-12 loss in the historic first senior international clash with England.

McCormack, whose side had been beaten 54-12 by Australia in the previous week's Ladbrokes Four Nations contest, said: "Matty has had two games in which, in my opinion, he was the best winger on the field."

That is some statement considering the competition.

On Saturday he faced Huddersfield's 2015 Super League top try scorer Jermaine McGilvary, while on the opposite flank Leeds Rhinos' Ryan Hall celebrated his 30th try in 30 international appearances.

And then there were NRL stars Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers) and Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters) as rivals on his first top-flight meeting with Australia at Hull KR's Lightstream Stadium.

While Russell's acrobatic try that handed Scotland a shock first-half 8-0 lead against England stole headlines, McCormack would have been tipping his hat to the metre-gaining kick returns and dashes out of dummy half that have become Russell's trademark in primrose and blue and proved so important to getting his team on the front foot.

“I didn’t know Steve had said that about my performances," said Russell, who has recently extended his stay with Wolves until the end of 2019.

“I don’t really know what to say. I’m happy for him to say that, there’s some top wingers out there.

“I’m a bit humbled by it really. He’s my coach, I want him thinking the best of me so that’s pleasing."

Russell's 25th-minute try was the highlight of a first half in which England, featuring Russell's Wolves teammates Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Daryl Clark, struggled to contain the Scottish enthusiasm and spirit.

The former Wigan and Gold Coast Titans man had little space to manoeuvre when he received the ball, but as he hugged the touchline he defied the bulking challenge of McGilvary and somehow twisted on one leg and got his hands over the top of the lunging Kallum Watkins to dive in at the corner with arms at full stretch.

McCormack said: "They (the video referee) must have watched it 100 times not to give it. It was a sensational try."

And Russell, who was making his sixth cap, said: "I knew I got it down, but I wasn’t sure what the video ref kept replaying it for. I don’t know how many replays there were, but it went on that long I had to start stretching.

"I was really happy with it and it’s up there as one of the best tries I’ve scored.

"As a team we were all buzzing when we got those two tries.

“For 30 minutes we were the best team and looked really good. We all believed that we could win the game.

“In the end, I don’t think the scoreline reflected how tight the game was and it’s a pleasing sign for Scotland rugby league.

“I love representing Scotland and wouldn't change that. I’m from Scotland and I’ve got family from Scotland. Just to make them proud is pleasing for me.”

With that headline-grabbing try, he has been dubbed 'The Flying Scotsman' this week.

He looked dapper in his kilt of specially designed Scottish rugby league tartan too in a show of the national team's culture.

“It was freezing when we got off the bus though, and I had no boxers on underneath," he said.

“We love playing for Scotland. Even the lads coming in from Australia, everyone’s down to earth, we have a laugh, and we’re proud to play for our country.”

He seemed a little less sure about his appetite for a Scottish delicacy though.

“We had a massive bowl of haggis in the week," he said.

"I think only a tiny bit was eaten in the end. It’s alright, I’ll eat it, but I prefer a steak. Or a pie.”