McGeechan backs Robinson

Scotland may have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the first time but they still retain the admiration of former coach Ian McGeechan.

The former international captain, who helped steer the team to a grand slam in 1990, has given his verdict in today’s Times, saying: “Scotland have been going pretty well under Andy Robinson. I think Scotland are in a pretty good place.

“It was a good World Cup performance, one of the good ones, even though they did not qualify, which was the hard thing to take because they are in very good shape.

“There is a lot of good in there which I hope people will be recognising.”

However, another former coach, Jim Telfer, believes Robinson should focus on emerging talent. He said: “I thought Scotland stood still as far development in the World Cup was concerned and only Joe Ansbro showed any improvement. Maybe it’s time for the Glasgow and Edinburgh coaches, as well as Andy Robinson, to give youth a chance and unearth some new young talent.”