Compromise was not an option Frank

Chris Paterson is once again relegated to the bench. Had Dan Parks been selected at fly-half instead of Phil Godman, you could understand the logic behind that as Parks is a natural kicker.

If Godman is your man then surely common sense should prevail and have Paterson play from the start as after all, someone has to kick your penalties.

Given Paterson's deadly record with the boot - and memories still fresh over Godman's howlers against South Africa last Autumn - would it not have made sense to give yourself the best options open to you of racking up the points against the French?

Paterson was one of the few to do well against Wales. He landed his kicks and prior to Max Evans' introduction, he was the one back who looked like troubling the Welsh defence. Indeed, had he managed to control a difficult ball past the opposition try-line late-on, it could have set up quite a finish.

Admittedly, the back line selection does have a considerable try-scoring capability but in order for them to do this, the Scottish pack has to provide them with some ball.

Replacing Ally Hogg at blindside flanker with Al Strokosch was the right thing to do - the former is less suited at number six and should never have been in that role against Wales anyway. However, playing two players out of position in the front five shows the lesson has clearly not been learnt.

With Geoff Cross unavailable at tighthead prop - thanks to a moment of lunacy which not only saw him yellow-carded but on the stretcher - wouldn't Glasgow's Moray Low been a more adequate replacement than Gloucester's Al Dickinson?

Low has been playing at tighthead for the past two seasons for the Warriors. Yet he finds himself on the bench thanks to Hadden's belief that in Dickinson, a loosehead prop can cross over.

Jason White's selection at lock is puzzling too. The former Glasgow ace once played in that role many moons ago but has been a blindside flanker for the majority of his career.

His rustiness at lock was all too apparent last week and it was surely inevitable that Hadden would bring in Glasgow skipper Al Kellock? Think again - he's already given a demanding public the Evans brothers. He's not fully prepared to admit he got everything wrong against Wales and will persist in gambling on players selected in positions alien to them.

What is more disturbing is that for lock and fly-half, there is once again no cover on the bench should injuries force Godman and Jim Hamilton off.

Parks and Kellock are going to Paris but it seems in the roles of lugging the kit hamper and making the tea - such is the demands of being a reserve. Unless someone drops out prior to kick off (and moving these two up the bench) Scotland a walking on a tight-rope.

France will notice this too and do not be surprised if they make a point in putting in some big hits on messrs Godman and Hamilton. If they do this and force the pair to retire hurt early on, we could be in trouble.

Paterson would no doubt replace Godman but he is effectively a full-back/winger. It has been a while since he played at fly-half and Scotland would have to hope his memory comes flooding back in an instant.

An early departure for Hamilton is more of a concern. With no recognised lock on the bench, our line out will be further exposed. Granted, number 8 Simon Taylor has played at lock this season for Stade Francais but with another makeshift lock in White, France would see the line-out as an area to hurt Scotland.

Of course this makeshift pack could rise to the occasion and give the Evans brothers the ball they require to penetrate the French backline.

Given French boss Marc Lievremont has picked a host of Toulouse players in that area, the Evans boys already have a psychological marker as last month they tore them apart in Glasgow's shock win in Toulouse.

Either way, this match could be a defining moment of Hadden's tenure. If Scotland are victorious, he's bought himself some time. If not, then the clock will start ticking.....