Scotland flanker Blair Cowan has stated that they are determined to put up a fight in the team's quarter-final against Australia.

The 29-year-old London Irish back-row, who is named to start in Sunday's clash, feels that being written off by critics and bookies will play into the hands of Vern Cotter's side.

"I'm very aware that this is probably the biggest game of my life. At the same time I've got a job to do and processes I need to go through before the game and I want to stay on task for that," Cowan told reporters ahead of the match.

"I don't know if this will define our careers because we've got some boys who have had amazing careers but it could be the pinnacle for a lot of us.

"We are aware that everybody is writing us off but if you don't have self-belief that you can genuinely win then there's no point going out. We are very aware in the this squad how good we can be and on our day we can beat anyone."

Cowan was only called up to Cotter's squad at the end of September following an injury to lock Grant Gilchrist.