Scotland on sunday reports

Hadden plays numbers game in settling squad
IAIN MORRISON
IF SELECTION is nine-tenths of any coach's job, as some have suggested, then Frank Hadden is earning his corn at the moment. He has already caused a few glum faces by selecting a 38-strong training squad, and he will doubtless disappoint a few more when he whittles it down to just 30 in time for the World Cup.

Received wisdom suggests that rather than take two players in each position, most coaches select three hookers and three scrum-halves. This is due to the specialised nature of these positions and the fact that two are included in any match-day 22.

To accommodate these 'extra' players, the coach usually sacrifices one back-row player and one from the back three, making do with five of each rather than six. Hadden might do the same, but he will be tempted to travel with two hookers and add another player from the back five of the scrum, where much of the wear and tear will likely take place.

Starting in the front row, Hadden's training squad includes only five props, four of whom will be involved in the final reckoning. Alasdair Dickinson might be the unlucky one, with Allan Jacobsen preferred because of his greater experience and the fact that he has, on occasion, filled in at hooker for Edinburgh.

The World Cup is no place to be blooding young talent, and with the notable exception of John Barclay, Hadden has gone for experience every time. He is right to do so. On that basis, locks Nathan Hines, Scott Murray and Ally Kellock are certainties, leaving Leicester's James Hamilton and Hawick's favourite son, Scott MacLeod, contesting the final place. If Hadden wants a direct understudy for Hines, he will take Hamilton. He preferred the big man to MacLeod in the Six Nations and may repeat that decision, though for work-rate and skills the Scarlets' lock cannot be bettered. His ball skills bring an added dimension to the tight five, and if Scotland intend playing a high-tempo, off-loading game, MacLeod is the ideal man.

The back row poses a headache for Hadden, partly because he is spoiled for choice. The last time Scotland had so many natural No.8s, two quickly found themselves playing in the second row. In contrast, the squad have just one natural No.7 in Barclay who, because of the flexibility he offers to Hadden's game plan, is the best bet as a World Cup 'bolter'.

Alasdair Strokosch and Dave Callam have plenty of competition for their places, though the latter is also a useful lineout option. The versatile Ally Hogg and Kelly Brown, Simon Taylor and Jason White, provided the skipper proves his fitness, will all be included.

Hadden will probably take all three scrum-halves, not just because they are quality players and potential game- breakers, but in view of Mike Blair being a little ring-rusty - and in case someone, somewhere possesses a voodoo doll of Chris Cusiter which resembles a pin cushion.

The two fly-halves in the squad, Dan Parks and Gordon Ross, should both travel, but centre combinations are a little more tricky. Andy Henderson and Rob Dewey were not a success when played together in Paris; putting two hard-running centres outside a fly-half who likes to stand deep was never going to succeed, but they should be included as competition for each other for the No.12 shirt. Marcus di Rollo will go notwithstanding his recent indifferent form, but who will challenge him is surely one of Hadden's biggest headaches.

Calum MacRae did well enough in the Churchill Cup, but so too did Graeme Morrison, while Nick de Luca has shown the best form of the three over the past few months. The youngster may be a gamble too far for Hadden who, if he opts for experience, will take Morrison, but then again he may prefer the flexibility that MacRae offers. The Melrose man is equally happy at fly-half, centre or full-back.

In the back three, Chris Paterson's golden boot ensures his selection, and Hugo Southwell's left boot guarantees his passage. Simon Webster and Sean Lamont are the most elusive runners available, and if Hadden takes just five back-three players, Rory Lamont is the best bet to join them.

This article: http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=905722007

This article was originally posted on 10-Jun-2007, 08:11 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 10-Jun-2007, 08:12.