Hadden Hails Development Chance

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden tonight praised the development opportunity presented by the Barclays Churchill Cup. Hadden, who is overseeing Scotland A’s involvement in this season’s competition, was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s opening match, against the USA in Henley (kick-off 6pm).Scotland head coach Frank Hadden tonight praised the development opportunity presented by the Barclays Churchill Cup. Hadden, who is overseeing Scotland A’s involvement in this season’s competition, was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s opening match, against the USA in Henley (kick-off 6pm). He said: You can tell by the enthusiasm at training that the players, like the National Management Team, see the Barclays Churchill Cup as a real opportunity to either shake-off the shackles of an injury-hit season or, alternatively, prove why they should have been in the frame for the senior Scotland team by now.Hadden also was bemused by comments attributed to USA Rugby Chief Executive Nigel Melville today. Quotes from Melville, a former England scrum-half, implied that Scotland A were fielding too strong a side. Hadden is keen to deal in facts. He said: Last year our A team played minus 24 players who were touring South Africa with Scotland. This year our A team are playing minus 26 players who are being rested ahead of the Rugby World Cup this autumn, so, if anything, we are two players weaker than we were last season.