BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Hadden names strong Scotland team

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Last Updated: Monday, 21 May 2007, 12:17 GMT 13:17 UK

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Hadden names strong Scotland team

Hadden has picked 10 capped players for the Churchill Cup

Frank Hadden has included 10 full internationals in the starting line-up for Scotland A's Barclays Churchill Cup opener against the USA.

The Scotland head coach will also hand 24-year-old Glasgow Warriors flanker Steve Swindall his A team debut for Wednesday's match in Henley.

"Steve has been part of an outstanding back-row and pack effort at Glasgow," Hadden said.

"He works hard and deserves his chance at this level."

Rory Lawson will lead the side out against the Americans after skippering the Scots to runners-up spot in last season's tournament.

Hadden is using the tournament as preparation for the World Cup.

He said: "The Barclays Churchill Cup was introduced to create opportunity for players who might otherwise not be able to show the national coach what they can do.

The Barclays Churchill Cup was introduced to create opportunity for players who might otherwise not be able to show the national coach what they can do

Scotland coach Frank Hadden

"The fact the national management team are looking after the A team shows how important we believe this opportunity is for the players as we build towards the Rugby World Cup in the autumn."

The Americans were crushed 51-3 by England Saxons in their first game on Friday night but Hadden is expecting a big improvement.

He said: "We watched the game on Friday where the USA were completely dominated by a very powerful England front five.

"I expect the USA will react positively to that experience and we might not find it quite so straightforward on Wednesday."

Scotland A: R Lamont (Glasgow); S Webster (Edinburgh), C MacRae (Borders) G Morrison (Glasgow), T Evans (Glasgow); G Ross (Castres), R Lawson (Gloucester, captain); A Dickinson (Edinburgh), S Lawson (Glasgow), B Douglas (Borders), A Hall (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Fullarton (Saracens), S Swindall (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow).

Replacements: F Thomson (Glasgow), C Smith (Edinburgh), M Rennie (Bourgoin), A Strokosch (Edinburgh) R Chrystie (Borders), P Godman (Edinburgh), R Kydd (Northampton).

USA A M MacDonald, M Crick, C Osentowski, H Mexted, M Mangan, M Aylor, T Clever, L Stanfill, K Kjar, V Malifa, M Palefau, A Tuipulotu, P Emerick, C Wyles, F Viljion (capt)

Replacements: B Burdette, M French, I Basauri, D Payne, D Williams, V Esikia, S Sika.