Sean Lineen will coach Scotland A
Pro-team coaches Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen are putting aside their Magners League and Heineken Cup rivalries to coach Scotland A.
The head coaches of Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors respectively will join forces to pilot the fortunes of the A team this season.

The announcement was made today by Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive, Gordon McKie. He said: “The Scotland A team is of vital importance in extending the pool of players who are equipped to play at the highest level for the national team.

“Andy and Sean understand international rugby and their experience and coaching acumen will be key ingredients in further developing our players for the toughest challenge.”

Robinson, appointed as Edinburgh coach earlier this autumn, having previously coached England and the British and Irish Lions, said: “I’m honoured to be asked and I’m really looking forward to it. I see it as building upon what I’m doing with Edinburgh. It’s important for Scotland to have a strong A team.”

Lineen, who was involved in the interim Scotland coaching set-up in 2005 before taking on the head coach role at Glasgow, said: “We need to ensure we have strength in depth and I look forward to working closely with Andy to build that.”

Scotland A are due to play two internationals during the Six Nations Championship – away to their Italian counterparts near Venice on Sunday 3 February; and against Ireland A at a venue still to be finalised later that month. They will then compete in the Churchill Cup in North America in June 2008.

Asked how he would react if Scotland A faced England A in the Churchill Cup Robinson said: “I’m there to prepare a side to win a game and that’s what I’ll do. I’m a competitive person.”

Scotland coach Frank Hadden welcomed today’s announcement. He said: “I’m delighted that two high profile coaches are getting together. The development of potential Scotland players is something we take extremely seriously. I cannot think of two more appropriate guys to lead the progress of this exceedingly important team.”

This article was posted on 19-Nov-2007, 19:06 by Hugh Barrow.