Oh. Bloody. Hell.

And no place for Thom in the 22? What's that all about?

Can understand why Thom isn't on the bench since CP and ME cover more than 1 position but not in a side containing Webster and Lamont S - ridiculous!!

Once again Hapless frank has shown what a dreadful manager he is with a team selection that is leaves one in despair. When will he learn to pick the guys on form and also in there correct positions or maybe more pertinent when will the SRU realise Hapless is not good enough to be the Scotland coach.

Just one comment. Where's Thom?

As usual, start of Six Nations signals reappearance of Simon Taylor from international exile to take a starting place in the back row from someone who has worked hard all year for their club - seems this year it's KB's turn. So disappointed - when are we going to let go of the past and start giving such hugely talented younger guys a consistent run of games? Clearly there was also some mistake in the team sheet publication as they appear have missed off Thom's name!

Several themes are emerging in this years' 6N selections: 1. Ignore all the good youngsters coming through 2. Who needs a no. 10 (or a kicker of any description) anyway? 3. Back rows - the bigger and slower the better.

The exceptions to this are Ireland and Wales - after today's team picks, I reckon the 6N will go to to one of those 2 with everyone else trailing considerably.

Score prediction anybody? Presumably, on the basis of the team sheet, we're all expecting a mauling?

Hadden is an arse. Thats all.

No DP sense at last

Entirely predictable comment from an Edinburgh supporter. HAve you been onto the Hootsmon forum to say the same thing.

Geez, I wonder what hold Taylor has over Hadden...he was invisible against Perpignan at the weekend, only really made one decent tackle...

At least with 10 Edinburgh stsrts we know to blame when it goes pear shaped.

chirst if i knew i was going to watch edingburgh v ospreys i would'nt have bothered buying a ticket. time for that idiot hadden to go.

Having just seen the Welsh team, I can say with some degree of certainty that we don't stand a chance of winning. If we do, I'm even prepared to perform 'Delilah' in a full Welsh kit at half-time against Munster.

I share many of the disappointed opinions listed above but on Sunday will be giving the full team my vocal backing! I do think Hadden has not chosen our best side but it is up to the players on the park to prove him right or wrong. If we win I will be delighted. If we lose then Hadden will need to explain himself.

I have been doing that for about 3 years now but this time enough really is enough!

How can you leave Thom Evans out FFS? What happens if Godman gets injured? to go into a game with NO cover for the most important position is suicide! (forget the DP v PG for a minute and consider this - DP is still streets ahead of Mossy, who presumably is covering FH?)

And not content with destroying the hopes of Scotland in the 6N, he now want to kill our pro teams too by bringing home our overseas players that arent faring too well.

Any volunteers to hold the other end of a "Hadden Out" banner on saturday? ;)

You're in dreamland

While I don't agree with the selection, Being scottish they will get my full support agaisnt the Welsh.

After all its not there fault that they get picked for the Team.

Thom?..........................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
.....................................................................WTF?

Has Frankie Boy been tested for Methamphetamine?

Jesus - Thom scores a hat-trick v Bath and can't even get selected for the starting squad. Anyone think Lamont looked a complete tube v the Blackness before he injured himself and came off!

... looks like you should get the band back together Thom.

I am so angry. Was looking forward to the 6N this year with a team that i imagined had pretty much picked itself. The omission of Murray and Hines from the front 5 cant be helped and i think that cross and white are good replacements. However, the back row is a farce. Where is Strokosch? Hogg is an out and out 8 as is Taylor. Either of those two at 8 with Stroker at 6 and Barclay at 7 was ideal. I'll take Godman at stand-off. I could have coped with him missing a few pens if i knew we had the firepower in the backs to make up for it. To leave Evans out is a complete joke. Also, if you are playing morrison at 12, play max at 13. Similarly, de luca at 12, play cairns at 13. One or the other. dont go messing with proven centre partenerships. The enthusiasm i had before i heard that selection has completely dissapeared. Get Hadden out.

Bloody hell. I had to take a week off to go to this... Hadden simply has to go.

I honestly wish I hadn't paid for the ticket. We're getting pumped.

Taxi for Frank!

So it seems that real pace and the top Try Scoring record are irrelevant.

I hope Frank is dishing out whatever he's been drinking at the game on Sunday; I think we might need it...

Don't know what everyone is getting agitated about. FH is conservative-he usually picks what he knows which is Edinburgh (or ex Ed). Yes to my mind he should have played TEvans, Brown and maybe even Kellock-I've never rated Hogg or Hamilton or Taylor. Must have been close between Webster & Evans-but FH will go with what he knows!! Personally I don't like the team, but I'm not in the least surprised. However the boys on the park get my support & obviously I hope they win.

Is Frank showing the first sign of The Mad Cow?

"I have been referring recently to the growing strength in depth of the Scotland squad, the quality of the side we've chosen to play Wales is an excellent example of that."

Webster on the wing??????? Seriously. How can that happen????

Frank's a tube! Webster's mince and is going to spend his afternoon on the back foot chasing Shane Williams' shadow, offering nothing attack-wise and Sean is going to do his usual 'bulldoze-into-folk-and-hope-for-the-best' routine which, let's be honest, hasn't worked for him since those tries against France in 2006! So no attacking threat on the wings then - Thom you must be raging son! - and while we could've possibly been saved by a strong selection up front, Frankie boy goes and picks the folk who haven't performed well for some time now......in the wrong effing positions!!!! Murray and Hines are big losses but at least compensate by playing big Al alongside Hamilton for a strong lineout where the Welsh are weakest (probably their only weakness!). And why in gods name play Hogg at 6 when Strokes is easily one of the best in the 6nations? If Frank's absolutely got to pick White and Taylor then at least play Taylor in 2nd row where he's been playing for Stade this season and play White in his natural position at blindside? Once again it looks like we're going to be playing that god awful conservative game plan hoping to score penalties thats done so fantastically well for us in the last few years! Only prob is we don't even have someone to bang them over if we're that luky this time! We could've done something this year but you need to play the form players to stand a chance. I'll be there cheering them on regardless on Sunday but I've just one question - Whats more wooden - the spoon we'll be picking up, or Frank's head?!!

Well said everyone, loads of good points!! Away with Frank!!

Ideally:-

1. Euan Murray
2. Scott Lawson
3. Alan Jacobsen
4.Hines
5.Hamilton
6. Strock
7. Barcs
8. Brown

9. Blair
10. Godman
11. Evans
14. Lamont ( or Webster??)
12 and 13 - Complety agree da Luca and Cairns or Morrison and Evans
15. Rory Lamont when fit.

I think DP is fantastic for Glasgow however I think its Godmans time. CP is a versatile sub.
The most exciting thing in Scott Gray. He has been class for Northampton picking up Mof M's here and there.

Cross is an unknown quantity for me???

Im terrified.

Cross will be fine, very professional and coming onto a game, plenty other things to worry about before him

It is not about the number from Glasgow or Edinburgh.
But I think it was time for Tom to be in the team, Webster is ok but can't compete.
TOM HAS TO PLAY NOW TO REACH THE TOP, NOT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE NEXT WC!!!
Agree with comments about the pair of centres.
IT IS HARD enough to score tries so...

If any of you are prepared to go on the record re your Scotland selection thoughts, please email me on davidkelso.com

You MUST include your name if you want to be quoted.

Many thanks

David Kelso
rugby writer

My email address should read

davidkelso "at" mac.com

It beggars belief. It seems that you have to be versatile to get into the 22 - you have to be able to play in a minimmum of 3 positions. On that reckoning, I'm surprised I didn't get the call. Does Frank not know I've played everywhere but hooker? Think I'll polish my boots just in case. It would be nice to get one cap before I get my pension in June.

Just had a look on the toffs supporter's club site and it would appear they're as f'ed off as we are over Thom's ommision and the selections in general. If even Tarquin, Farquar etc along the M8 think Uncle Frank is mad it just goes to show that its not about numbers of players from Glasgow/Edinburgh etc its just about good common sense selections or a glaring lack thereof!
Frank must go!

It seems Mr Haddock is (once again) favouring not losing instead of trying to win the game. Why else would Webster get the nod - he obviously thinks he's better in defense than Thom and is choosing to ignore his lack of cutting edge......

Hopefully Max Lovin' should get a run out though

Read Frankenstein's comments in the papers today. Apparently (and I quote) "Thom is definitely hot at the moment. He is a young guy who has done all we have asked of him and his turn will come." However, "This is a team designed to beat Wales - pure and simple." No, ya Haddie, it's a team that couldn't beat Wales last year and is even less likely to do so this year. If Thom has done "all we have asked of him", what more does he need to (or can he) do to warrant an inclusion? Maybe he'll answer that after we are (unfortuantely) soundly beaten. On the subject of Edinburgh, I don't believe for a minute Frank has a bias towards them. He's just resistant to change and has a naive loyalty to players that have been with him for a while.

I think Hadden is a gym teacher.
He should return there as he knows nothing about rugby. Either that or he hasnt seen Thom or Max or Kelly play this season. The 3 Edinburgh guys are all tried, tested and failed.
That would still leave 7/5 in their favour!
Good decision to ditch Parks though.

Webster and Taylor being selected simply beggers belief. I am just stunned. When was the last time Taylor was any good? How can Webster be selected over THOM EVANS???!!! What was Hadden thinking of??

I never thought i'd say this but I don't want to go to the game. This could be a whitewash, we have no threat at all.

At least Hadden will surely be on the way out when the inevitable drubbing happens.

God almighty, I've PAID for this!

Kia Ora all

Very old Blackness proverb states

....those that can, do
....those that can't, teach
... those that can't teach, teach gym!

That is all Frank!

Jedi - is that you?

It cant be the Jedi, if the Gods of rugby were involved then it would be a much better team!

Greetings To You The Rugby Universe!

So sorry to disappoint guys – it’s only wee "Jedeyejoe from Mexico"

...but Frank’s still a twat for not selecting Thom – that is all!

http://tinyurl.com/theherald-2487095

Taylor has been picked because he can also play second row and we have no other cover on the bench. Webster has been picked so that when Paterson replaces Godman, he will replace G dog and Max will come in on the wing. Or maybe Southwell will go to the wing and Max to full back. It's musical chairs time. The options are limitless with this team.

Taylor has been picked because he can also play second row and we have no other cover on the bench. Webster has been picked so that when Paterson replaces Godman, he will replace G dog and Max will come in on the wing. Or maybe Southwell will go to the wing and Max to full back. It's musical chairs time. The options are limitless with this team.

Webster isn't a Winger. Max isn't a Winger. Certainly not a Fullback! Southwell also isn't a winger. Paterson had his shot at No.10 and wasn't good enough. He hasn't played there since God knows when and you're seriously suggesting placing him at Flyhalf against the grandslam holders is an option??

The only slight sense I can see in this thinking is that Godman is such a bad player (and penalty taker) it can't really get any worse if Patterson were to come on. The REALLY bad thing about all this is that even tho Godman threw away the Boks game with those kicks, he ISN'T the weakest link in this team.

Sunday 5 - it's called satire. See my previous post on this ludicrous team selection. On this basis I should be in the squad.

lol! Sorry! My bad.

Webster isn't a Winger. Max isn't a Winger. Certainly not a Fullback! Southwell also isn't a winger. Paterson had his shot at No.10 and wasn't good enough. He hasn't played there since God knows when and you're seriously suggesting placing him at Flyhalf against the grandslam holders is an option??

The only slight sense I can see in this thinking is that Godman is such a bad player (and penalty taker) it can't really get any worse if Patterson were to come on. The REALLY bad thing about all this is that even tho Godman threw away the Boks game with those kicks, he ISN'T the weakest link in this team.

Godman did not throw away the Boks game thats outrageous

Oh come on Gary!! You're one of the few that talks sense around here. Virtually anyone in the STAND could've made the kicks he missed against the Boks! Not to mention THE Italy game...

Godman is pants but, i'm sorry to say, he's the future apparently. The REAL problem is Frank Hadden. This selection shows that the man has lost all touch with reality. This isn't a Glasgow V Edinburgh thing. It's a national thing, I mean as an Edinburgh fan are you happy with this side?

The team selected has certainly provoked a huge reaction, but reading most of the press what it boils down to is that most people would have chosen 4 guys who are not in the team over 4 guys who are. Chris Paterson (for his kicking) over Hugo Southwell; Thom Evans (for his finishing) over Webster or Lamont; Ally Kellock (for his 2nd row prowess) over Jason White; Kelly Brown (for his form this season) over Hogg or Taylor in the back row. I would probably have gone for those 4 changes myself. But it's not the 4 selected are duds - Southwell has been on the form of his life the last 2 months; Lamont/Webster are experienced internationals; Jason White is Jason White; Ally Hogg rarely has a bad game. So come on, put the disagreements aside, and the disappointment of not getting the team we wanted and get behind the 15 guys who have been chosen! Go Scotland.

I agree almost entirely with you but what is hugely disappointing is that this is a team picked to avoid losing, when we had a chance to pick one hell bent on winning. At this stage of the team's development I would rather see us lose having a real good go than concetrate on avoiding losing

No offence but Rugby is a game where draws are very very rare thus how can you pick a team 'not to lose' rather than 'to win'. I agree with you that there seems to be a real lack of conviction in selection tho.

Enough. Time to go and support.

I came on this site by accident after googling hadden idiot. What a ballon this guy is. He couldnt pick his nose and then blames the team. Negative little tw t