Frank Hadden, currently head coach at Edinburgh Gunners, has been appointed today as Scotland rugby coach up to and including the 2007 Rugby World Cup.



Hadden said: “As a proud and passionate Scot this is the ultimate honour and one that I am determined to enjoy.”



Hadden, who was in interim charge of Scotland’s two most recent performances, the victories against the Barbarians and Romania, was praised by Scottish Rugby Union Chief Executive Gordon McKie.



“Frank hugely impressed our interview panel with the depth of his rugby knowledge, his coaching expertise and the vision he has for the national team.



“He is a man who understands Scottish Rugby and understands what is required to get the best from our current group of elite players.



“During the transition phase Frank will have an overseeing role at Edinburgh Gunners where there are very experienced coaches and players who will look to expand on the quite excellent start the Gunners have made to the Celtic League.



“As for the appointment of assistant coaches with the national team that will be a matter for Frank to decide and I know he will be treating that as a priority.”



Hadden has placed great emphasis on the Scotland team operating much closer with the pro-teams and is upbeat about the future of the game in Scotland.



“We are where we are at the moment on the international rankings - ninth. It may be that our current position is a reflection of our current resources but we have a tremendous tradition in Scotland of over-achieving. I would not have taken this job if I had any doubts that we can restore that level of confidence in ourselves in the world game.



“People will inevitably ask me about targets and you have to be realistic. Look at our resources compared to the top five teams in the world.



“Our medium-term aim is to do well in the World Cup. When I sit down on a Monday to pick a team then I honestly believe that the team I pick are going to win the game and it’s important that the players and supporters have that confidence too.”



Frank Hadden – Born 14.6.54 in Dundee. Frank Murray Hadden is appointed Scotland head coach today. He was educated at the High School of Dundee, Strathclyde University and Carnegie School of PE in Leeds. He taught PE at Guiseley School, West Yorkshire and was head of PE and Director of Rugby at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh from 1983-2000 (turning Merchiston into Scotland’s top rugby school). He also took a sabbatical and taught and coached at the renowned Southport School in Queensland’s Gold Coast. He has coached club rugby at Dundee HSFP, was assistant coach at the Caledonia Reds from 1997-98 and during his time at Edinburgh Rugby, piloted the team to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup two seasons ago – the first Scottish team to reach that stage of Northern Hemisphere rugby’s premier club competition and has led them currently to the top of the Celtic League.

This article was posted on 15-Sep-2005, 15:11 by Hugh Barrow.