Rugby: New twist over future of Robinson

Speculation over the sporting future of Scotland supremo Andy Robinson took a new twist today when Bath Rugby were linked with a move for Auckland Blues coach Pat Lam.

Ever since Robinson, who has a contract until the 2015 World Cup, declined to categorically state he was staying on after achieving just two wins from 13 RBS Six Nations starts with Scotland there have been those pencilling him into a job at Bath who have still to replace Steve Meehan.

Before moving into the Test hot seat with England Robinson made 249 appearances in 13 seasons with Bath and led them to victory in the Heineken Cup final as coach in 1998.

His family still live in the area and he is known to be close friends from university with the owner, Bruce Craig.

However, Bath director of rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, has a long rugby association with Lam who was named today in the New Zealand media as a likely candidate for a move to the English West country albeit he was quick to deny the rumour.

Lam, a former Samoa internationalist, played for McGeechan at Northampton then was brought north to assist in the Scotland set up. Partly the conjecture surrounding Robinson has been fuelled not just by results but by a Bath official saying last month there was a “potential opportunity” for him to return.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh centre Matt Scott is assisting in Scotland’s preparations for Saturday’s visit to Ireland by taking part in training while colleague Stuart McInally has also been attached to the squad though currently injured.

• FORMER Livingston rugby captain and president Donald Naysmith has died, aged 56, after a long illness, the club has announced.