Scotland rugby coach Frank Hadden quits

SCOTTISH Rugby have announced that Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has stepped down from the position with immediate effect.

The decision was taken after a meeting today of the Scottish Rugby Board.

Scottish Rugby chief executive, Gordon McKie, said: "Following a presentation at today's Scottish Rugby Board, covering a review of the Scotland performance in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, it was agreed with Frank Hadden that a change in head coach is required to allow us to plan fully for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

"On behalf of the board, I have thanked Frank for his hard work and commitment during his term as national coach."

Scottish Rugby will begin the recruitment process for a new head coach with immediate effect.

The demise of Hadden will come as no surprise to followers of Scottish rugby.

His position was under threat after yet another poor Six Nations tournament. Scotland failed for a third straight season to achieve their own stipulated minimum requirement of two championship victories.

Scotland have finished in the bottom two of the Six Nations five times in the last six years, which is the same record as Italy.

Their 26-12 Calcutta Cup defeat by England in the final game of this season's competition was Scotland's 12th in their last 16 matches.

After the defeat by England, Hadden raised eyebrows when he claimed he had a squad capable of winning the Six Nations – if only he had the the preparation time enjoyed by the likes of England, Ireland and Wales.

He said: "I honestly believe that we can win the championship with this squad.

"We have a squad of players that is capable of being very competitive at the very highest level but I am frustrated we don't get the preparation time we want.

"I still believe we have a squad capable of doing something, with the proper preparation and the time to develop.

"The fact (other teams) have the control over the players they do makes life much easier for them.

"The two teams with the poorest preparation are at the wrong end of the championship. That's a fact.

"There's absolutely no doubt. England have had eight weeks' continuous preparation, whereas our guys have been going back and forward (to their clubs)."

Scotland captain Mike Blair had claimed Hadden had the full support of his squad and laid the blame for the poor results at the feet of the players.

"It's individual basic errors that are letting the opposition into the game," he said.

"That's not something the coaching staff can deal with. That's for the players to deal with."

Hadden was named as the new coach of the Scotland team in September 2005, as permanent replacement for Matt Williams who had been sacked the previous April.

Scotland had won just three Test matches – against Samoa, Japan and Italy – out of 17 under Williams' stewardship in just over two years.

The former Edinburgh Gunners boss, who had taken charge on an interim basis for two summer friendlies in which Scotland beat the Barbarians and Romania, offered a fresh start and new impetus in Scottish rugby.

However, after failing to make any real improvement to the team, Hadden has become the latest casualty at the head of Scottish rugby and the search for his replacement begins.

• Full details in The Scotsman tomorrow