Andy Robinson backed by SRU but coach admits he’s at lowest ebb yet

ANDY Robinson says he is at the lowest ebb in three years as Scotland coach after being whitewashed in the RBS Six Nations Championship, but the SRU will use the next fortnight to try to persuade him to stay on.

cotland suffered a demoralising finish to the tournament, following up a 32-14 defeat to Ireland with an insipid 13-6 loss to Italy in Rome, and questions have been asked about Robinson’s future. However, last night he was given the backing of SRU chief executive Mark Dodson, who said in December that, while there will be a full review of the championship, even if results did not improve he would stand by Robinson and ask him to continue.

Dodson insisted last night that he stood by those comments, but integral to the future was Robinson’s own belief in his ability to take the squad forward.

He said: “We will be sitting down with Andy and reviewing the championship and all aspects of it over the next two weeks. But Andy has a contract up until 2015 and we will continue to support him through that. The comments I made then [in December] still stand.”

Robinson said he will spend time reviewing the championship with coaches, players and the SRU hierarchy and will also spend time with his family before deciding whether he thinks he can carry on. Asked if this was the lowest point since he had taken up the Scotland post in 2009, Robinson said: “This is a disappointing place to be, yeah.

“Everything is pretty emotional at the moment. I need to go away and think through what is right with a plan.

“There are some very good young players coming through and that’s where the hope is. I’ve spoken to the players and said they’re not far away, but there are key things that have happened in the tournament that have undermined our performances and a lot of that has come from ourselves.

“It’s a tough enough game as it is when you’re playing against good sides, but we’ve undermined our performances with careless errors.” Robinson seemed to suggest at one point that he may look at a different role, but that was more a reflection of the new coaching team he is building. He will either remain as head coach or quit.

“I’ve got a contract to 2015 and I’ve got to look at what my role will be within the team moving forward and that’s what I’ve got to speak to Mark Dodson about,” said Robinson.

“I’m not saying what it’s going to be, because I’ve got to think through what’s right for Scottish rugby. What’s important is that you use what’s happened, but everyone is very disappointed and emotional about this.”