Andy Robinson has cast doubts over whether he will be applying for the vacant Scotland job © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Scotland cast the net in search for new coach

News: Paterson backs Robinson for Scotland

News: Hadden axed as Scotland boss

Players/Officials: Frank Hadden | Andy Robinson

Tournaments/Tours: Magners League | Magners League

Teams: Edinburgh | Scotland

Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson has cast doubt on his desire to succeed Frank Hadden in the role of Scotland national coach. Since Hadden walked away from the job at the start of the month speculation over the identity of his successor has flitted between Robinson and current Glasgow boss Sean Lineen. After Lineen ruled himself out of contention, believing that he does not currently possess the required experience for the job, all bets were on Robinson taking the role until he himself spoke of his reservations.

"There's still a lot for me to go through," he said. "I can't suddenly turn round here and say, 'Yes I am applying, or no I'm not applying'. I don't want to string you along. Apologies if I did that before but I don't think I did. I wanted to use the full two weeks to make the decision.

"Having been an England coach, there's a lot that you need to go through to make sure that the whole planning is right in your mind when you apply. There's no point applying and then thinking, 'I've got to do the planning for this now'. It should all be sorted out in your mind before you apply for the role, and that whole planning is important to me. I like it to be fully structured and to be written out and there's a bit more time to go yet."

Robinson's unsuccessful tenure as England coach ended in 2006 following autumn defeats to Argentina and South Africa, with his reign blighted by constant media criticism of his floundering side. He believes that the pressure and media focus is not a problem for him personally, but concedes that it may be more of a sticking point for his family.

"It would do for my family, but it wouldn't do for me personally," he replied after being asked about the media attention being a turn-off. "I'm happy to be in the spotlight, so I wouldn't have an issue about being in the spotlight."

Robinson has been publicly backed by his rival Lineen, who said that he would be "amazed" if he did not apply. Certain former internationals, including Jim Telfer, believed that Robinson's English nationality made him a secondary choice behind Lineen, obviously a concern not shared by the Glasgow coach.

"[They are] very flattering, the comments he's made. But those are Sean's words, not mine," said Robinson. "It's a great honour to coach a country and to represent a nation. I've worked with Rob [Moffat, assistant coach] at Edinburgh this year and last year and really enjoyed it and I enjoyed being involved with the Scotland squad when I went to Argentina [in 2008]."