Profile: Bristol's future director of rugby Andy Robinson
Bristol Rugby will next week confirm former England and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is their new director of rugby.
Robinson, who in November 2012 quit his role with Scotland, is set to take charge of Bristol, with the team’s head coach Liam Middleton remaining in his current position with his title unaffected.
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Andy Robinson began his playing career with local rivals Bath
Middleton will lead the coaching while Robinson oversees the bigger picture, including player recruitment and team strategy.
Robinson’s 16-year coaching career has seen him take the helm at Bath Rugby, England, Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland.
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Prior to this he enjoyed a successful playing career at local Bristol rivals Bath. Born in Taunton, Robinson joined Bath RFC in 1986, captaining the club to Courage League and Pilkington Cup triumph.
Robinson, who had previously captained Loughborough Students from open-side flanker, made his England debut in 1988 and went on to win eight international caps.
In 1989 he was named European Player of the Year and selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
In 1997 he put aside his kit and moved into a coaching role at The Rec. The following year he steered the club to Heineken Cup success.
Robinson remained at the Bath helm until 2000, at which point he was appointed forwards coach of England. Working under Sir Clive Woodward, Robinson played an integral role in the 2003 World Cup victory in Australia.
The following year, when Woodward resigned from the role, Robinson became head coach. Newcastle chief Rob Andrew said Robinson was the man to solve England's perennial club-v-country row.
Andrew told BBC Radio Newcastle Woodward had failed to get to grips with what went on at club level, but maintained Robinson could succeed where Woodward failed.
"Andy knows the pressures we're under and has a much better understanding of how you have to work together," Andrew said.
But just two years later, in November 2009, Robinson stood down as coach.
This followed what BBC Sport called “a disastrous 25-month spell in charge”. Robinson had lost 13 of his 22 games in the job.
In a statement, Robinson revealed he had been reluctant to go: "In the last 48 hours, I have been advised by senior colleagues that those who have governance over me - the RFU management board - do not, and will not, continue to support me as England head coach,” he said.
In 2007 Robinson was appointed as the new head coach of Edinburgh. There he enjoyed a two-year stretch before taking charge of Scotland in the summer of 2009.
According to the Guardian: “His first Six Nations ended well, a draw against England at Murrayfield followed by victory over Ireland in Dublin, but he was never able to get them out of the bottom two.”
Robinson and the team were, however, boosted by a trio of victories in Australia, Fiji and Samoa in the 2012 summer tour.
But in November 2012, less than 24 hours after Scotland had lost 21-15 to Tonga in Aberdeen, Robinson resigned.
Mark Dodson, Scottish Rugby's chief executive, said at the time: "I have passed onto Andy Scottish Rugby's thanks for his hard work and commitment during his term as national coach.
"Andy has overseen some fine results as Scotland head coach since he was appointed in June 2009 but the recent defeats have been very disappointing.
"Andy is an outstanding leader and a fine coach and we wish him well."
Robinson is expected to begin work at Bristol before the end of this season.
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