Robinson excited by potential

The potential within the Scotland squad encouraged Andy Robinson to extend his contract as head coach beyond the 2015 Rugby World Cup and now he has called on his players to beat Wales in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday.

Robinson on Wednesday demonstrated his commitment to Scotland by replacing his previous contract, which ran until after the 2012 Six Nations, with a new deal until December 31, 2015. And the competitor in him immediately looked towards victory at Murrayfield this weekend.

Robinson said: "It's about us getting results and the focus doesn't change from that."

Robinson's men suffered a 34-21 loss to France last Saturday, but have won five of their last seven Tests and he named an unchanged side on Wednesday.

"We need to respond from last week, be able to play at the same level of intensity, but to be better organised in our defensive capabilities," he added.

"The players that have been selected have got another opportunity to perform, for some of them to back up their performances of the week before - Joe Ansbro being one of those players, Richie Gray as well.

"For the guys that were disappointed in their performances, this is the opportunity they get to put that right. I'm confident the players will do that. What's important is consistency and being able to look at the side and move forward."

Moving forward is certainly what Scotland have done since Robinson was appointed head coach in June 2009.

Results including wins over Australia, Ireland, Argentina (twice), and South Africa led to speculation he might return to Bath after this autumn's World Cup in New Zealand. But the former Bath, England and Edinburgh head coach believes his Scotland squad have a bright future.

Robinson added: "That's one of the key elements to me, the potential within the squad and at whatever age."