Andy Robinson Appointed Scotland Team Head Coach

Scottish Rugby announced today (Thursday 04 June) that Andy Robinson has been appointed Head Coach of the Scotland team. Robinson, who enjoyed two successful seasons with Edinburgh to supplement his World Cup winning triumph with England in 2003, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to get back into Test rugby. I have enjoyed my time with Edinburgh immensely and to be appointed Scotland Head Coach is something that I am greatly honoured and excited about.”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.” Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie hailed Robinson’s appointment. He said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have secured Andy Robinson as the new Head Coach for Scotland. Andy is an ambitious and highly committed coach and I am confident that he will bring success to Scotland.”Andy has proved himself at every level of the game and we are thrilled that he will now be leading the Scotland team as we look towards the challenges of the next three years, including the 2011 World Cup.”He has been part of the Scottish Rugby family for the past two years and has brought success both to Edinburgh Rugby, with their highest ever Magners League finish in successive seasons, and has also guided the Scotland A team to notable successes. “McKie continued: “Andy has a well established relationship with many of the Scotland players and has an understanding of professional rugby at the highest level.”Andy Robinson will be supported in his new role by Scotland’s current defence coach Graham Steadman and further announcements in respect of the coaching staff will be made in due course. Former Scotland captain and British and Irish Lion Gordon Bulloch, who was part of the interview panel that determined the appointment said: “Andy was the outstanding candidate from a quite exceptional shortlist which underlines the allure of coaching the Scotland team.”I know from having had the privilege of his coaching and guidance on Lions tours that he is passionate about his rugby, is a skilled communicator and has values and an ethos which are absolutely at one with developing a winning Scotland team.”ANDY ROBINSONAndy Robinson, 45, was appointed as Head Coach of Edinburgh Rugby Club in October 2007 and proceeded to make a positive impact on the team’s fortunes; leading them to back-to-back record finishes in the Magners League. During his first campaign in charge, Edinburgh ended the term in fourth spot and improved upon that feat 12 months later by finishing in second place in the Magners League standings. Born in Taunton, Somerset, Robinson was formerly a mathematics and physical education teacher at Colston’s Collegiate in Bristol and also King Edward’s, Bath. In his playing career, he captained Loughborough University before joining Bath in 1985. He went onto enjoy a lengthy and successful association with Bath, captaining the club to Courage League and Pilkington Cup success. On the international stage, Robinson won eight caps as an openside flanker and was selected for the 1989 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.  At the end of his playing days, Robinson became Head Coach at Bath, with Sir Clive Woodward as his assistant, and guided the club towards Heineken Cup success in 1998 before linking up again with Woodward as part of England’s coaching set-up in May 2000. With Robinson as assistant coach, England won 41 of their following 50 games and his expertise as a forwards coach led to a World Cup triumph in Australia in 2003. Robinson was England head coach from 2004-2006 coaching them to memorable triumphs over Australia and South Africa. Robinson was also appointed assistant coach on the 2001 and 2005 British and Irish Lions Tours to Australia and New Zealand.2009 Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn TestsSaturday 14 November – Scotland v Fiji, Murrayfield, kick-off 2.30pmSaturday 21 November – Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, kick-off 5.15pmSaturday 28 November – Scotland v Argentina, Murrayfield, kick-off 2.30pmScottish Rugby is delivering on its pledge to reduce ticket prices from last season’s Autumn Tests at Murrayfield and Pittodrie Adult tickets for the Fiji game will cost£10 and£20; concessions for under-18s and students will be£5 and£10.Adult tickets for the matches against Australia and Argentina cost£10,£20 and£40 with concessions for children and students at£5,£10 and£20.Tickets are on sale now via the 24 hour credit card hotline 0871 200 1511; through the Scottish Rugby website www.scottishrugby.org; or in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Murrayfield Stadium, which is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Please note a booking fee applies for all credit card transactions.Anyone buying an adult ticket at£20 or above (and the corresponding concessions) for the 2009 Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests will again have the opportunity to attend the Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors Magners League derby at Murrayfield, part of the 1872 Cup, during the Christmas and New Year holiday period