The victory over Canada was statistically meaningless but Ireland's win over Argentina was not. It leaves Declan Kidney's men ranked eighth with Scotland one place back, in the third group of World Cup seeds and out of the "elite" of world rugby. Interestingly ninth place was Scotland's exact ranking when Frank Hadden first inherited the team back in May of 2005.

The coach now has a performance review but his side has probably done enough to keep Hadden in harness through the Six Nations. Scotland would have beaten the Boks if they had a goal-kicker and they did beat the Pumas in Buenos Aires; a victory that may prove a turning point for the coach and his squad.

Before the second summer Test in Argentina Hadden was still adopting the same World Cup tactics of a kicking fly-half and a group of backs whose main function was to chase those kicks. He complains about a negative press but actions speak louder than words and Hadden's selection of Dan Parks screamed a lack of confidence in the outside backs. Something changed between the first and second Tests in Argentina because Phil Godman was brought in and the Scotland backs, previously there to give the stand-off someone to ignore, suddenly looked threatening.

In selecting a running rather than a kicking playmaker Hadden signalled a new high-tempo approach and not before time. Mike Blair tapped and ran quick penalties, Matt Mustchin launched counter-attacks from the Scotland 22 and given a yard of space Ben Cairns looked a class act. The influence of assistant coaches Sean Lineen and Andy Robinson in bringing about this abrupt change can only be guessed at. Hadden has subsequently denied any tactical U-turn but those denials simply do not ring true.

Fast forward to the present day and the Scots have a front five to mix it with anyone and in Euan Murray they surely have the player of the autumn series. The big man destroyed the All Black and the Springbok front rows but we must be careful not to go down the England route here. The red rose army invested way too much emotional capital in Andrew Sheridan after he destroyed the Wallabies scrum in 2005 but that Twickenham performance was the exception that proves the rule. The giant loosehead retired hurt against the same opposition last weekend; it must have been his pride. In reality the front row rarely determines the outcome of a match on their own and, having unearthed a gem like Murray, Scotland are in danger of expecting too much of him.

To balance the giant front five, the Scottish pack needs more speed and athleticism. Jason White now looks too slow to play in third row of the scrum, especially with Jim Hamilton and Nathan Hines in the second. The All Blacks illustrated perfectly the importance of forward athleticism when flanker Adam Thomson caught Chris Paterson from behind to prevent a possible try before lock Anthony Boric scored the final touchdown, going away from the field over the last 25 yards. Hadden has always had a thing about size but he needs to ensure that his pack does not mirror England's obsession especially now he has selected a fly-half who is determined to play with width.

There are several interesting parallels to be drawn between Hadden and Godman, the man who may well hold the fate of the coach in his hands. Neither is anyone's idea of an international player/coach but, in the continued absence of a viable alternative, they are both growing into the role, learning from their all too obvious mistakes and in danger of proving a few doubters wrong. Much depends upon the upcoming Six Nations.

No matter what has gone before, Hadden will not survive another dismal showing in the championship because a repeat of his one win in each of the last two years will not have the 'Full House' signs hanging outside Murrayfield. The team have proved what they are capable off against South Africa so it will be doubly difficult to spin a third consecutive disappointment as 'progress'. Any new coach appointed next spring would still enjoy the same two year preparation time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as Hadden had for RWC '07.

But while the current coach is fighting to keep his team in touch with the big boys of world rugby, the long-term health of the game in Scotland is far from certain. Scottish rugby has been in slow decline ever since the dawn of professionalism with 1999's championship win a blip in an all-too-obvious trend. The Scots' place at top table is particularly in danger from the emerging forces of Argentina, Italy and the Pacific Island sides. Fiji failed against Ian McGeechan's team back in RWC '03 but they saw off Wales last year and came within a whisker of upsetting the Springboks.

Italy in particular pose a danger as the story of three exiled Scots will illustrate. Italy's top flight boasts ten professional teams including Overmach Parma, who have Barry Irving at fly-half. They recently beat Brive in the Heineken Cup and Irving turned down a chance to re-join Glasgow, the club that released him years ago, but that doesn't tell the full story.

Another Scottish fly-half, Ander Monro, plays for Colorno in Italy's second division. As well as the Canadian/Scot, the squad includes four Argentines, a Romanian and a player from India. Despite this United Nations approach, two-thirds of the squad are Italian and, more importantly, they are full-time professionals in the second division. Monro was confident that his team would beat any Premier One opposition but even that doesn't tell the full story.

Another Scot by the name of Colin White plays for Noceto in Italy's third division. I have no idea what he is paid, but paid something he must be otherwise the former SRU academy flanker and Scotland Sevens international would not be there.

So the full story is this: Italy not only boast five times as many professional teams as Scotland in the top tier but they have sponsors willing to plough serious money into clubs way down the divisions. Incredibly all three clubs are within 20 miles of each other, as are two other Top Ten teams, Gran Parma and Viadana, so this part of Italy has five professional teams operating in an area smaller than Fife. On this evidence it is not a matter of 'if' Italy overtakes Scotland in the IRB rankings it is a matter of 'when'.

The pro-game leaves the Scots largely unmoved. Wales attracted 60,000 for their match against Canada while the SRU failed to fill the 20,500 seats in Pittodrie and just 36,000 turned up to watch the world champion Springboks at Murrayfield, a disappointing show of "support" that leaves the Union dramatically out of pocket.

It is said that people get the government they deserve and ultimately Scotland will get the international rugby team it deserves. Sad to say in relative terms there is no sign of any change to the long-term trend.


AUTUMN ALMANAC

SCOTLAND 6, NEW ZEALAND 32

An All Blacks shadow team was too strong for Scotland who enjoyed plenty possession but desperately lacked a cutting edge.

SCOTLAND 10, SOUTH AFRICA 14

Leading 10-0 at half-time, the Scots had an outstanding chance to beat the world champions but were overwhelmed at the start of the second period.

SCOTLAND 41, CANADA 0

A comprehensive win at chilly Pittodrie with a man of the match performance from Dons fan Nikki Walker.