Frank Hadden has highlighted the urgent need for unique solutions to be found to Scotland’s problems if the national rugby team is to have any chance of regaining its status among the global elite
The former Scotland coach, who has worked at all levels across the world, has outlined how a “laughable” approach to strategic planning ultimately led to claims that the World Cup can be won next year.
Rather than apportioning blame, Hadden’s aim is to highlight constructively the fundamental changes that need to be made to the professional teams, the junior structure and in the provision of the right facilities to help Scottish teams to be competitive.
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Hadden’s answers include funding second XVs for Glasgow and Edinburgh, rather than establishing a third pro team, and the appointment of someone to allocate talent as needed between the two city sides.
Having coached every national team from under-16 upwards, as well as the Caledonia Reds and Edinburgh pro teams, nobody understands better the nature of the internal politics involved, but Hadden stresses how essential it is that the various departments work towards the greater good. “It wouldn’t be good for us if we only tried to fix one of these things,” Hadden explains.
“It would be nice to have a facilities strategy, but in isolation from a competitive junior structure that would allow us to get the full value from it we would not be maximising the opportunity to make real ground. Likewise, the pro team restructuring is integral to the junior restructuring so that the pathway is created.”
We will bring you the second part in the series of how Frank Hadden thinks Scottish rugby can be fixed later today here on Rugby-Talk.