Hadden credits forwards for overpowering England

By Alan Lorimer

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Scotland coach Frank Hadden said the 15-9 victory over England in the Six Nations on Saturday was down to "a Herculean effort by a lighter pack".

Scotland chalked up their first win of this season's tournament with a battling forward display at Murrayfield.

"Our lighter forwards were tremendous especially in the loose but also around the ruck area. In these weather conditions you've got to be apprehensive about being the lighter pack," Hadden told a news conference.

"We were tentative and hesitant at the start of the game but I think that is because of the amount of criticism that the players have had to face. I told my players never to doubt their ability."

The Scotland coach suggested that he had expected nothing less than an improved display following defeats by France, Ireland and Wales.

"We know that we've got a good defence. The trouble is that in our opening games we made a lot of uncharacteristically stupid errors," he said.

"I think we now have a better understanding of what we're trying to do."

England coach Brian Ashton offered no excuses, saying the World Cup finalists were outplayed.]