CRAIG CHALMERS has launched an outspoken attack on Frank Hadden, accusing the national coach of losing the dressing room.
In a scathing outburst Chalmers says the honeymoon ended for ex-Edinburgh mentor Hadden following the "nightmare" start against Italy at Murrayfield last season.
Then 21 early points were conceded from which Scotland never recovered. Phil Godman,
who occupied the stand-off role filled by Chalmers in 60 internationals from 1989-99 was dropped and hasn't played internationally since despite some observers believing he was following Hadden's tactical plan involving kicking over a rush defence.
Chalmers tells his column published today in Rugby World magazine: "There has been a loss of trust between Frank and his players and I think it stems from the nightmare start against Italy last year when we conceded 21 points.
"We've never really recovered from that and have played a lot less rugby since then."
Currently Melrose's coach, Chalmers pulled no punches when calling on Hadden to step down.
"Over the course of the (Six Nations) Championship I'd give Scotland three out of ten – there was no ambition and no end product. Frank's reign has run its course.
"We've become less ambitious as the years have gone by. Where is the purpose and creativity?"
Chalmers reserves most ire for the switching of Chris Paterson between positions notably prior to the loss in Rome last time out when he moved to wing when Nikki Walker dropped out with Dan Parks introduced at stand-off. He said: "The decision to move Chris Paterson to the wing ... was a disgrace.
"If you pick someone as a first-choice then you must keep him there.
"It must have been so demoralising for Chris to prepare to play (number) ten only to be shuttled back to the wing and hardly get a pass.
"It was such a negative selection. Why didn't he bring in Ben Cairns?
"It was mucking Chris about and in the end Dan Parks (at stand-off) had a shocker. Most of the Scottish public have lost faith in Dan at that level and it's not fair on him either to keep slagging him off."
Chalmers' remarks come as coach Hadden prepares to announce his squad for a two-Test tour of Argentina next month.
On the prospects of the tour, Chalmers added: "Frank will have Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen on board but it is fudging. Either Frank can do the job on his own or he can't."
The full article contains 417 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
