Scottish Rugby
Robinson appointed Scotland boss
Scrum.com
June 4, 2009
Andy Robinson coach of Edinburgh and former England coach takes part in a Scotland training session at Murrayfield ahead of this weekends RBS six nations match against France January 29, 2008 in Edinburgh,Scotland.
Andy Robinson is expected to be unveiled as the new Scotland head coach © Getty Images
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Former England head coach and Edinburgh boss Andy Robinson has been appointed as Scotland's new national coach. Robinson takes the reins ahead of Scotland 'A' taking part in the Nations Cup next week and after he lead Edinburgh to a second place finish in the Magners League.

Frank Hadden left his position with Scotland after a poor Six Nations, where his side failed to achieve their minimum target of two wins for the second season running.

Robinson was one of more than 30 candidates interviewed for the position by a five man panel including Scotland and Lions stars Andy Irvine, Andy Nicol and Gordon Bulloch as well as SRU chief executive Gordon McKie and chairman Alan Munro. Reports claimed South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White and former Australia boss Eddie Jones had applied for the role, though it is unclear whether this was the case.

Robinson was joined by Scotland forwards coach Mike Brewer in applying for the job, with Brewer quitting his post after he was informed that he was unsuccessful. Robinson took his time in applying for the position before submitting his name just ahead of the deadline on April 20.

"I'm delighted and honoured to be appointed head coach of Scotland," said Robinson. "I've worked in Scotland now for 18 months and I've been really impressed by the attitude and potential of Scotland's rugby players. I'm now looking forward to developing that attitude and potential into winning performances.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me to get back into Test rugby. I have enjoyed my time with Edinburgh immensely. I have enjoyed being part of the national and 'A' team set-up in Scotland in the past two seasons and working with the players has fuelled my optimism. I am confident that I can take them and the national team onto bigger and better things.

"With the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, I believe we have a crop of players who can really challenge the world's best and preparation for that starts now. I'm looking forward to leading Scotland 'A' into the IRB Nations Cup in Romania next week and thereafter preparing for our Autumn Tests at Murrayfield against Fiji, Australia and Argentina.

"I am very proud to be taking up the Scotland Head Coach role and I can assure all our supporters both at home and abroad that I will be doing everything I possibly can to bring success to the national team."

Robinson's England reign was an unhappy one, winning only nine of his 22 Tests in charge but his record at club level is excellent. He led Bath to Heineken Cup glory in 1998 before playing an integral role as England's forwards coach as they won the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

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