In a line-up with an average age of just 24, Williams blooded a host of young players who experienced an intensity of rugby they had not faced before.

Although they conceded seven tries and 41 points to the Reds, Williams is confident they will learn and become stronger for the ordeal.

The whole point of these games with the younger players is the future, to give them the opportunity to play high-quality games against high-quality opposition, said Williams.

You could see in the first 40 minutes they struggled to adjust to the pace of the game. They held their shape, but it was the one-on-one tackles and a little bit of inexperience in the line-out and the scrum.

Queensland led 29-0 at half-time after a masterclass from fly-half Elton Flatley and tries from Chris Latham (2), Wendell Sailor, Drew Mitchell and Scott Barton.

Williams added: They came in at half-time and we said 'look, they are just like you and me, they are not supermen, lets go out and have another go.

The second half was much much better. That is the whole point of the exercise. What you saw out there was what happened to our guys in the Six Nations against Wales.

When guys take that first step, the first 40 minutes is pretty hard to come to terms with.

That is why we had to do it with these guys today and they will be much better for that run.

Scotland lost full-back Robbie Kydd after 20 minutes of his Scotland debut and he was taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected broken cheek.

Mike Blair, captain for the evening, lasted only the first half before being replaced with a shoulder strain while Cameron Mather twisted his ankle.