Hadden names Scottish training squad

There are two uncapped players in the squad; Border Reivers' team-mates centre Ben MacDougall, 28, and 23-year-old openside flanker Andy Miller.

The squad also marks the return of Glasgow Warriors' captain Jon Petrie, who missed the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests through a shoulder injury; and stand-off Gordon Ross whose recent form in the Guinness Premiership has earned him a recall. Scott MacLeod, the Border Reivers lock, is another whose recent form and fitness is rewarded after a long absence through an ankle injury

Phil Godman, the Edinburgh Gunners' outside half who finished Scotland's last Test against New Zealand misses out but Hadden stresses that is a reflection on the displays of Ross and Dan Parks and not an adverse comment on Godman. He added: "Phil could yet feature in the Six Nations."

Hadden is pleased to see a rejuvenated Petrie - his captain in his first two Tests as national coach against the Barbarians and Romania last season - back in the frame.

"It's great to have him back. I'm satisfied with his form and I know he can contribute in other areas too," he explained.

Elsewhere in the squad Hadden noted that Nikki Walker had demonstrated a hunger in recent outings and Euan Murray was benefiting from getting games under his belt.

Hadden also reported that Nathan Hines, the 31-times capped lock who is now with Perpignan, was not figuring at this stage for personal reasons. "As I have said before Nathan remains very much in my thoughts. He has not retired from international rugby."


Backs - Mike Blair (Edinburgh Gunners), Chris Cusiter (Border Reivers), Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Gunners), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Ben MacDougall (Border Reivers), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Gunners), Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners), Nikki Walker (Border Reivers), Simon Webster (Edinburgh Gunners)

Forwards - Kelly Brown (Border Reivers), Bruce Douglas (Border Reivers), Ross Ford (Border Reivers), Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Gunners), Craig Hamilton (Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Gunners), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Gunners), Alastair Kellock (Edinburgh Gunners), Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Scott Lawson (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Border Reivers), Andy Miller (Border Reivers), Scott Murray (Edinburgh Gunners), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Petrie (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Smith (Edinburgh Gunners), Simon Taylor (Edinburgh Gunners), Jason White (Sale Sharks) captain