Scotland flanker Blair Cowan has insisted that the national team can be optimistic about the future following their recent defeat to New Zealand.

The Scots were close to causing a major upset against the world champions at Murrayfield on Saturday before the All Blacks eventually won the match 24-16.

While refusing to get away from the fact that Scotland were beaten, Cowan believes that he and his teammates can take plenty of positives from their performance heading into the Six Nations and the World Cup.

"You have got to be real about it, it was still a loss on Saturday. If you are going to accept defeats then you may as well give up there," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"We are bitterly disappointed with the loss but there are a lot of positives we can build on. It's not a negative loss if you want to put it that way.

"There is a sense that something is growing in this squad. It's very special and perfectly-timed with the Six Nations and World Cup coming up. But as quickly as things are built, they can be dismantled. We have to stay clear-headed and keep progressing."

Scotland are back in action on Saturday when they entertain Tonga.