Scotland v Italy:FRANK HADDEN is "fed up" with telling his Scotland players to prove they are his strongest ever squad – knowing their failure to perform today could end up costing him his job.

Hadden faces arguably the most important game of his near four years in charge when Italy come to Murrayfield looking to inflict more humiliation on the country they have made a habit of embarrassing.

A third successive Six Nations defeat to the Azzurri would leave Scotland embroiled in yet another battle to avoid the wooden spoon, which could have dire consequences for their head coach.

Hadden went into the Six Nations proclaiming his current crop of players the best of his tenure.

They let him down badly in their tournament opener against Wales and although they improved dramatically against France two weeks ago, they still have nothing to show for their effort.

Hadden said: “I’m fed up saying it but the time has come for the team to prove that they’re a better squad by getting the results the country expects.”

On paper, a game against Italy represents Scotland’s best hope of doing just that and, despite his frustration, Hadden has lost none of his belief.

He said: “I’m always confident. I think we’ve got the depth of squad. Who’d have thought we’d have gone to Paris with the number of injuries that we had and outplay the French at their own game? The match in Paris was one that got away, as far as we are concerned.

“We asked them to be brave in Paris and I thought they played very bravely..

“Sadly, we were frustrated by the outcome but we’re determined to put that right tomorrow.”

He added: “We know if we play anywhere close to our potential tomorrow, we have a very good chance.”

The return of prop star Euan Murray has given Hadden a timely boost against a pack containing some of the most ferocious scrummagers in the game. Hadden said: “They are a formidable side, they have some of the best players in Europe in their squad. But we’re definitely up for it.”