Frank Hadden Leaves Scottish Rugby

Scottish Rugby can confirm today that Frank Hadden, who stepped down as Scotland head coach after a review at the end of the 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship, has decided to leave its employment and seek new challenges.Hadden, who took over the post on an interim basis in May 2005, taking on the role full-time in the autumn of that year, coached Scotland to 18 victories in the 43 internationals during his time in charge. Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie said today: “I want to place on record Scottish Rugby’s gratitude for Frank’s utmost dedication and commitment. “Frank was, and remains, first and foremost a passionate follower of the Scotland team and he always knew the honour and great responsibility that goes with the post of Scotland head coach.”Prior to Frank’s appointment, Scotland had not won an away international against a top tier southern hemisphere nation since 1982 and we had only recorded one victory over England in 16 matches.”Frank can be rightly proud of coaching Scotland to our first ever Test victory in Argentina; of securing wins against four of our five opponents in the RBS 6 Nations Championship; beating current Grand Slam champions Ireland in our preparations for RWC 2007; of ensuring Scotland maintained its tremendous record of always qualifying for the knockout stages of every Rugby World Cup; and, most memorably, plotting back-to-back Murrayfield Calcutta Cup triumphs.” Hadden said: “It was a huge honour to be invited to coach the Scotland U16s in 1992 and it has been a privilege to work with Scottish players at all levels since then. Everyone knows that coaching our National XV is a tough job but I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take up the challenge and wish Andy Robinson the best of luck.I have been coaching professional rugby since the end of the amateur era and it’s time now to take a step back and review what I do next.”