Six Nations
Robinson wary of wounded French
ESPNscrum Staff
January 19, 2011
Scotland coach Andy Robinson talks to the media, Scotland squad announcement, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, January 19, 2011
Robinson has named three uncapped players in his squad for the Six Nations © PA Photos
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Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has predicted a fierce backlash from France when the two sides go head-to-head in the Six Nations on February 5.

Robinson, who today named his 34-man training squad for the Championship, is hoping his side can score their first win in Paris since 1999 against the defending Grand Slam champions and is prepared for a different French side to the one humiliated 59-16 by Australia at the Stade de France less than two months ago.

"We've got to be at our very best to win the game," Robinson told PA Sport. "We've got to prepare well and make sure everybody is in the right frame of mind against a very good French side. A lot of people suddenly start talking about the French - slow starters, what happened against Australia - but this French side is a good side.

"We know it's going to take a huge ask for us to go and perform there, but we have the quality to go and do that. Our focus has got to be on ourselves and what we can deliver in the game."

Scotland have won in Paris just twice in 42 years, the most recent win coming in their first trip to the Stade de France en route to winning the final Five Nations tournament 12 years ago. But they have won five of their last six games and should enter the Six Nations in confident mood, but Robinson is mindful of the last time his squad had a lengthy break.

After a historic first southern hemisphere Test series win, the 2-0 defeat of Argentina last June, Scotland returned from a five-month break and lost 49-3 to New Zealand last November.

"This first game is always a tough task for any of the teams," added Robinson who has included the uncapped trio of Glasgow loose-head prop Jon Welsh, Warriors flanker/lock Rob Harley and Bath back Jack Cuthbert in his latest squad. "Whatever your start is it's always a tough ask because you come together having not played in a number of months.

"You've got to find your rhythm, your togetherness in defence and collective will to stop the opposition from scoring, but also you've got to have your systems in place so you can be an attacking threat."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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