EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORETS
Former Hawk Euan Murray tipped to replace Tom

CHRIS ROBERTS


SCOTLAND’S interim head rugby coach Frank Hadden believes Glasgow prop Euan Murray can replace retired veteran Tom Smith and then go on to play for the British and Irish Lions.

Smith’s confirmed departure gives the selectors their biggest headache as there are no obvious successors, but Hadden believes that 24-year-old Murray could just be the man.

"I worked with him at Scotland youth level and I said he could go all the way and hehas all the qualities to do just that," said Hadden. Allan Jacobsen, Craig Smith and Gavin Kerr are among those who have stood in for Smith without making a compelling case for themselves.

But Scotland’s new head coach is refusing to shut the door on any member of the 30-man squad named to take on the Barbarians and Romania.

Hadden said: "We sat down and we looked at the various areas and we were very happy with the depth of quality at front row with Allan Jacobsen, Bruce Douglas, Euan Murray, Gavin Kerr while Craig Smith is out with a shoulder injury."

Edinburgh full-back Hugo Southwell and Glasgow stand-off Dan Parks were also named in the squad despite disappointing RBS Six Nations Championship campaigns.

Southwell was played out of position by Matt Williams while Parks attracted criticism but Hadden insists they are in his future plans.

"They are both young lads," he said. "Dan is a good stand-off and played well for Scotland and has played consistently well for Glasgow but he needs to try to prove his worth. Hugo’s rise has been meteoric and he can really get to the top in this game if he keeps working hard."

It was Hadden who helped bring Southwell north to the Gunners.

Scotland and Lions prop Smith, pictured, announced his retirement from international rugby yesterday. The 33-year-old Northampton stalwart won 61 caps over his eight-year Test career, with his final cap coming against England in this year’s Six Nations.

Smith said: "It was a hard decision but one that I know is right for me and my family and it’s definitely the right time to retire."

The veteran loose-head told his international team-mates in the aftermath of the Calcutta Cup defeat that he was quitting Test rugby no matter what happened.

And, despite the departure of coach Williams and the move to bring in Hadden, he has quit to spend more time with his family and club.

Smith said: "I am pleased with the changes which have been made but it’s now time for me to focus on club rugby. I wish the new management and all the players every success in the future."

This article was posted on 5-May-2005, 12:17 by Hugh Barrow.