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On this day: Andy Robinson appointed Scotland's new head coach
By PA
Former England boss Andy Robinson was named as Scotland’s new head coach on this day in 2009.
Succeeding Frank Hadden, Robinson signed a three-year contract as he returned to Test rugby just over two-and-a-half years on from the end of his disappointing England reign.
Since that tenure, in which he oversaw just nine wins in 22 Tests, he had enjoyed success as boss at Edinburgh, spent time as assistant to Hadden and taken charge of Scotland’s A team.
Under Hadden, Scotland had managed just one victory in each of the last three Six Nations campaigns.
Robinson said: “One of the key things for me is developing that winning mindset, not necessarily at times how we play.
“It’s about winning and understanding how to win. My coaching philosophy, I think, will work together with the group of players, developing an understanding of how to win games. I believe I have the ability to do that.”
Robinson, the former England flanker who was forwards coach of the 2003 World Cup-winning side before becoming head coach, added: “I think that November 2006 (when his England tenure ended) was a real turning point in the journey of my life.
“I had six months to reflect on what I was about, to look at my values, my real core values and the passion that I have for the game and I had a lot of soul-searching. But I also looked at what I bring as a coach and how I was going to improve.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experiences that I’ve had and I believe I’m a better coach, I’m a better leader, I’m a better manager than I was in 2006.”
In February 2011 Robinson signed a new contract running until after the 2015 World Cup, with wins over Argentina (twice), South Africa and Australia having been achieved.
But he would subsequently resign in November 2012 following a 21-15 loss to Tonga, Scotland’s 10th defeat in 13 Tests.
The team had made a pool-stage exit at the 2011 World Cup and lost all five of their 2012 Six Nations matches, having won only once at each of the previous two editions.
Vern Cotter was the next man in charge of Scotland, while Robinson, who had guided Bath to Heineken Cup glory prior his time on the England coaching staff, went on to be appointed as director of rugby at Bristol in 2013.
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Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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