ANDY Robinson today gave his full backing to Scotland rugby coach Frank Hadden and publicly insisted he is not looking beyond mentoring Edinburgh's team.
Some critics are demanding Hadden be removed following four losses from five starts in the recent RBS Six Nations Championship but former England supremo Robinson has unequivocally distanced himself from any call that he should be the man to step up
from his present role, which includes co-coaching the Scotland A side.
"I respect Frank and I will support him in his role," said Robinson in a BBC interview.
When asked if he was happy to stay as Edinburgh coach for the foreseeable future, Robinson replied: "Yes."
In committing his immediate rugby future to Edinburgh, the team will not be allowed, in time-honoured fashion, to backslide in the later stages of the Magner's Celtic League any longer – starting against Connacht at Murrayfield tomorrow, it is being claimed.
Since 2003-04, when the competition was reshaped to run throughout the season, Edinburgh have only once achieved even break-even in terms of wins and losses over their concluding six games.
Most recently they managed one post-Six Nations Championship victory from six attempts. Concerns exist in some quarters that a promising league position – which sees Edinburgh poised, at worst, to improve on their best-ever finish of fifth while entertaining hopes that they might even make up an 11-point gap on the leaders – could be squandered if past practices are repeated.
However, confirmation that this is a bold new era for the Capital giants is contained in remarks by assistant coach Rob Moffat when discussing what makes the man in overall charge, Robinson, tick.
"Andy is always challenging himself, me and the players.
"There will be no complacency at any time," said Moffat.
Meanwhile, Connacht give first starts to prop John Lyne and lock Andrew Browne, while the other change from the team beaten 10-16 at home to Leinster last time has Tim Donnelly at stand off.
Connacht: Duffy, Matthews, Mostyn, Deane, Wynne, Donnelly, O'Loughlin, Lyne, Flavin, Morris, Browne, Farley, Muldoon, O'Connor, Rigney.
Subs: Merrigan, Wilkinson, Loughney, Gannon, McCarthy, McPhillips, Nathan.
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The full article contains 385 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
