Robinson to reflect on future
Andy Robinson began a period of introspection over his future as Scotland head coach as players clung to the few positives from an RBS 6 Nations campaign which ended with the wooden spoon.
Scotland lost 13-6 to Italy in Rome to suffer a Six Nations whitewash for the first time since 2004 as their winless sequence was extended to seven Tests - the worst run since 1998. Robinson, who is under contract until the 2015 World Cup, insisted he would take time to reflect before determining his future after a review with Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson.
David Denton, the 22-year-old rampaging Edinburgh number eight, has impressed and hopes Robinson will remain in charge, and he told Press Association Sport: "We all hope he'll stay. I think we can build something special under him, with the group we've got. I think we can be a force to be reckoned with."
Scotland appeared close to producing a positive result in the losses to England, Wales and France, but the displays against Ireland and Italy were disappointing and Robinson was left with two wins from 15 Six Nations matches in charge.
Whether Robinson sees enough in the young players at his disposal - among them Richie Gray, Ross Rennie, Denton, Greig Laidlaw, Stuart Hogg and Lee Jones - to encourage him to stay in his position remains to be seen.
Robinson has already begun a coaching overhaul and the Rome loss was the last match for Graham Steadman and Gregor Townsend, the defence and attack coach, respectively.
Scott Johnson is set to join as senior assistant coach and Matt Taylor as defence coach in appointments which suggest Robinson is committed to the cause despite the damning series of results. Perhaps it is the naivety of youth, but Denton's optimism is undimmed despite the winless run.
Denton, who now has six caps after starting all five Six Nations games, added: "It's been a disappointing tournament for us and you could see that in the boys.
"We've put everything in, but we're going to be judged on results. There's no doubt the talent that we have and we know we can take it forward."
