Six Nations
Scots rally around under-fire Robinson
ESPNscrum Staff
February 27, 2012
Scotland's Lee Jones takes the plaudits for his try, Scotland v France, Six Nations, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, February 26, 2012
Scotland's joy was short-lived at Murrayfield on Sunday © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Ross Ford | Andy Robinson
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: Scotland

Scotland captain Ross Ford insists coach Andy Robinson has the side on the right track despite yet another Six Nations defeat.

The Scots' 23-17 reverse to France at Murrayfield on Sunday means Robinson has now overseen just two victories from 13 Six Nations matches while the result also condemned the hosts to a fifth straight Test defeat for the first time since 2004, when they finished with the Wooden Spoon.

Ford reiterated Scotland are close to realising their potential under Robinson despite losses to England, Wales and France this month, with the last win coming over Georgia in the Rugby World Cup in September.

"Andy's got belief in the players and we as a team believe in what we're trying to do," Ford said. "We're pretty tight together and we do believe we're on the right track and going in the right way.

"We felt in control. We went out and played how we train. We let that accuracy drop before half-time and it cost us. After that we came out and we knew we had to lift it. We did in parts. We showed today we're on the right track. We're scoring tries.

"When you get to this point, in those situations, it's about being able to handle that. We've got belief in the way we're playing, just with that bit of composure and being a little bit more clinical in certain areas we can get the results. If we can do that we can kick on from there."

Robinson himself acknowledged that his record does not make pleasant reading. The former England boss, who is contracted up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was asked whether he intends to remain in post or if he might resign at the end of the tournament, but sidestepped the question.

"I can't hide away from what you're saying and you're right to bring it up," he said after the match. "I have total belief that we have the ability to win and that belief was strengthened even more today, as it was against Wales and the England game. We have belief about what we're about and we want to win.

"That's why in games like this there's a degree of anger afterwards because of us not being able to achieve that. What I've enjoyed is watching this team go out and take a team that got to the World Cup final on and outplay them."

As well as the defeat, there was a physical toll for Scotland, with Rory Lamont suffering a suspected broken leg and scrum-half Mike Blair (dead leg) and fly-half Greig Laidlaw (head knock) also going off injured.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.