Magners League Official Website : Hadden takes the temporary helm for Scotland

Hadden takes the temporary helm for Scotland

29 April 2005, 2:06 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Frank Hadden was today named as head of Scotland's temporary coaching set-up following the sacking of Matt Williams.

Hadden, who has been in charge of Edinburgh for four years, will be assisted by Hugh Campbell (Glasgow), Steve Bates (Borders), Sean Lineen (Glasgow) and George Graham (Borders).

In addition, former Scotland union and Great Britain rugby league star Alan Tait will return to the post of specialist defence coach. Also included as a selection adviser is former All Blacks skipper Todd Blackadder, the Edinburgh player-coach.

The interim group will be in charge for the forthcoming matches against the Barbarians at Aberdeen on May 24 and Romania in Bucharest on June 5.

Announcing the coaching team Scottish Rugby’s acting chief executive Fred McLeod said: “We have chosen Frank as interim head coach because of his experience in the professional game and the fact that, over the piece, he is our most successful pro-team head coach.

“Hugh Campbell’s track record at club, pro-team and international level both with Scotland A and Scotland as a forward technician is exemplary and Steve Bates has impressed with his ability to get the best out of his players in a difficult first year at The Borders.

“Neither Steve nor Sean are available at the time of the matches as they both have pre-arranged holiday commitments but we felt it was important for them to be involved.”

Hadden, 50, who has coached at Merchiston Castle School, Dundee HSFP, Caledonia Reds and as head coach at Edinburgh Rugby since 2000, said; “I’m incredibly proud and honoured to be given this opportunity for an interim period.

“Working alongside my colleagues from the professional teams I will be doing everything I can to help the players achieve a couple of wins for Scotland and to excite and enthuse our supporters during this period.

“Our game against The Barbarians is just over three weeks away and in that time-frame, as coaches, our main focus has to be on our attacking ploys. Scottish Rugby has decided to put the emphasis on the three professional teams as the vehicle to drive forward professional rugby in this country and I genuinely believe that that direction could signal a very exciting period for rugby in Scotland."