ANDY'S ARMY ON THE MARCH; RUGBY: NEW GAFFER CONFIRMED: Robinson takes Scots reins and vows to kick off bid for World cup glory now.

Byline: RODDY DUNCAN

NEW Scotland rugby boss Andy Robinson last night vowed to get straight to work on the World Cup campaign . It is two years to the showpiece event in New Zealand but Robinson insisted preparations must start now.

The former England international said: "I'm very proud and honoured to be taking up the Scotland head coach role and I can assure all our supporters I'll be doing everything I can to bring success to the side.

"With the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, I believe we have a crop of players who can really challenge the world's best and preparation for that starts now."

Robinson comes into the post after mixed fortunes as a boss.

He was No.2 to Clive Woodward when England won the 2003 World Cup but after becoming boss in 2004 had a largely unsuccessful two-year stint in charge.

In 2007 he took over at Edinburgh Gunners and was a huge hit, leading the capital club to second place in the Magners League last season, their highest-ever finish.

Last April he was appointed assistant coach to Scotland head coach Frank Hadden for the summer tour of Argentina.

He now takes over from Hadden, who was sacked after a disastrous Six Nations campaign.

Robinson, 45, will return to the Test stage in the autumn series against Fiji, Australia and Argentina at Murrayfield.

Opportunity But his first main task is to lead Scotland A's assault on the IRB Nations Cup, which gets under way next week in Romania.

Robinson said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for me to get back into Test rugby.

"I've enjoyed my time with Edinburgh immensely and being part of the national and A team set-up in Scotland in the past two seasons. Working with the players has fuelled my optimism and I'm confident I can take them and the national team on to bigger and better things."

Former Lions hero and Scotland skipper Gordon Bulloch - who was on the appointment panel - insisted Robinson was clearly the best man for the job.

Bulloch said: "Andy was the outstanding candidate from a quite exceptional shortlist of figures from across the rugby world.

"I know from having had the privilege of his coaching and guidance on Lions tours that he is passionate about his rugby, is a skilled communicator and has values and an ethos which are absolutely at one with developing a winning Scotland team."

Bulloch was backed up by former Scotland star Kenny Logan and record cap holder Chris Paterson. Logan said: "Andy is a coach who has won the World Cup, Heineken Cup, Grand Slam and Six Nations.We need a man at that level."

Paterson added: "I've been back at Edinburgh for a year and I've been really, really impressed with Robbo.

"I think he's helped my game a lot, I think he's helped the team's game a lot and I've really enjoyed the season with him. He's an outstanding coach."

SRU chief executive Gordon McKie also hailed the choice.

He said: "Andy is an ambitious and highly-committed coach. I'm confident he will bring success to Scotland.

"He's proved himself at every level of the game and we're thrilled he will now be leading the Scotland team as we look towards the challenges of the next three years, including the 2011 World Cup.

Respected "He's been part of the Scottish Rugby family for the past two years and has taken Edinburgh to their highest ever Magners League finish in successive seasons, and has also guided the Scotland A team to notable successes.

"Andy has a well-established relationship with many of the Scotland players and has an understanding of professional rugby at the highest level."

Jake White and Eddie Jones, who led South Africa and Australia to World Cup finals, were also on the shortlist.

However, the panel - comprising Andy Irvine, Andy Nicol, Bulloch, SRU chair Alan Munro and McKie - has put its faith in a man respected for his leadership and motivational qualities.

Robinson's assistant at Edinburgh, Rob Moffat, is favourite to take charge of the Gunners, with former Lions and Scotland prop Peter Wright in line to become pack coach.

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FOCUSED: New boss Robinson aims to deliver success for Scotland