Scots answer Hadden's call

Scotland's players have answered Frank Hadden's call to arms

Frank Hadden has revealed how a barrage of returned texts confirmed his players' desire to play for Scotland.

Scotland's head coach announced his 30-man squad for the tour to Argentina where the Scots will play two Test matches, the first in Rosario on June 7 and a week later in Buenos Aires.

Hadden said that his men wasted no time in showing him that they were keen to wear the dark blue in South America.

"I sent a text to all the players informing them of their inclusion and within 10 minutes I had received replies from all of them," he said.

"I was heartened by that and it shows just how determined they are to play for their country.

"Some of them will have been playing for 13 months by the time we tour.

"It is a great job being a professional player and they know what they have to do for their clubs but they are also ready when their country calls.

"It is what it is, and we have to get on with it and it should be the same for Argentina."

Hadden revealed the trip to South America has taken on added importance since it was decided that world ranking will go towards seedings for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Scotland will return from Argentina to play Autumn Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.

The Scots are currently 10th in the world but are desperate to get in to the top eight before the next World Cup.

"At first we thought about the tour being a developmental tour but world rankings count towards seedings for the next World Cup so that will not be the case any more," said Hadden.

"It suddenly increased the importance of the two Tests in Argentina.

"The last time we went on tour to South Africa we took only 26 players and a small management team.

"This time we are taking 30 players and a large management team.

"We have named a big squad and there is room for others to come in when injuries have cleared up and things like that.

"We also have three uncapped players, Ben Cairns, Thom Evans and Moray Low who have been chapping on the door for a while.

"But our main in Argentina is to win matches, as simple as that."