Hadden happy with draw

Hadden: positive on Scotland's World Cup draw

As far as our Pool B opponents are concerned I'm happy with the draw.

Frank Hadden
Quotes of the week

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off winner
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

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Scotland have "every chance" of progressing to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2011, according to coach Frank Hadden.

The Scots were drawn alongside Argentina, England, another yet-to-be determined European country and a play-off winner in Pool B on Monday.

Hadden was relieved to avoid the Tri-Nations countries in New Zealand and is confident of maintaining Scotland's record of always reaching the last eight at rugby's global showpiece.

Scotland could have faced both New Zealand and France after slipping to third seeds, so Hadden viewed the draw positively.

However, he also urged organisers to provide Scotland a fairer match schedule than the one which saw them play four times in 20 days in France last year.

Proud record

"It's a good draw and one that gives Scotland every chance of maintaining our proud record of being one of only five countries to qualify for the quarter-final of every World Cup," Hadden said.

"But the draw is the first piece of the jigsaw. The next thing for us is to find out what the scheduling is.

"We felt we had a very tough schedule last time and I think it will have a very big impact on the outcome of the next World Cup.

"As soon as you put five teams together in the group it is tough for everyone but it is harder for some teams than others.

"I believe it is absolutely imperative that games are scheduled to allow players proper recovery and preparation time, given the intensity of international matches. There needs to be a level playing field."

He added: "As far as our Pool B opponents are concerned I'm happy with the draw.

"We haven't played England in the World Cup since the 1991 semi-final, and we lost out at last year's World Cup to Argentina in the quarter-final.

Excited

"It looks as if we've missed the Pacific Islands countries as they are pretty much playing on their home patch, so that's a bonus."

Scotland captain Mike Blair added: "I'm excited by the draw. In England and Argentina we have two extremely tough sides in our pool who have a very proud record in the tournament.

"It will take a big effort from us but that's what we will be setting our minds on."