Andy Robinson facts for kids

Richard Andrew Robinson, also known as Andy Robinson, was born on April 3, 1964. He is a famous English rugby union coach and a former player. He was the director of rugby for the Bristol team until November 2016.

Andy Robinson also used to be the head coach for the national rugby teams of Scotland and England. From September 2019 to December 2022, he was the head coach for the Romanian national team.

As a player, Robinson was an openside flanker. He played for Bath, England, and the British & Irish Lions.

Playing Rugby

Andy Robinson was born in Taunton, Somerset. He played his first game for England against Australia on June 12, 1988. He played in eight international matches for England. His last game was on November 18, 1995, against South Africa.

Even though he was a bit smaller for a player in his position, standing at 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) and weighing 88 kilograms (13 stone 12 pounds), he was a strong player. He also played six non-international games for the British & Irish Lions during their tour of Australia in 1989.

Teaching Career

While playing for Bath, Andy Robinson also worked as a teacher. He taught math, physical education, and rugby at Writhlington School and King Edward's School, Bath. Later, he taught at Colston's Collegiate School in Bristol.

At Colston's, he helped the school win the Daily Mail Cup in 1995 and 1996. After these successes, he decided to focus on playing rugby professionally with Bath.

Coaching Rugby Teams

After his playing career, Andy Robinson became a coach for Bath. He then became the forwards coach for the England team. He worked as a deputy to Clive Woodward when England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

When Clive Woodward left his role in September 2004, Robinson became the acting coach for England. He was later confirmed as the head coach. He also coached the Lions teams that toured Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2005.

Coaching England

As England's head coach, Andy Robinson won nine out of twenty-two matches. In November 2006, it was decided he would remain head coach, with his position reviewed after two matches against South Africa. After losing the second match, many fans wanted him to be replaced.

On November 29, his resignation as head coach was announced. Robinson said he felt he didn't have enough support from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

England Coaching Record by Country

Here's how England performed under Andy Robinson against different countries:

Opponent	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win ratio (%)	For	Against
Argentina	1	0	0	1	0	18	25
Australia	4	1	0	3	25	66	114
Canada	1	1	0	0	100	70	0
France	2	0	0	2	0	23	49
Ireland	2	0	0	2	0	37	47
Italy	2	2	0	0	100	70	23
New Zealand	2	0	0	2	0	39	64
Samoa	1	1	0	0	100	40	3
Scotland	2	1	0	1	50	55	40
South Africa	3	2	0	1	67	69	62
Wales	2	1	0	1	50	56	24
TOTAL	22	9	0	13	41	543	451

Coaching Scotland

In the summer of 2007, the Scottish Rugby Union hired Andy Robinson. He became the new head coach of Edinburgh Rugby. He also worked as a joint coach for Scotland A with Glasgow coach Sean Lineen.

In his first year with Edinburgh, he helped the team achieve their highest finish ever in the Celtic League, placing joint 3rd. This was impressive because many international players had left the team that summer. The next season (2008–09), Edinburgh finished as runners-up, just behind Munster.

In June 2009, Robinson became the new head coach for Scotland, replacing Frank Hadden. During his time as Scotland coach, the team won a series 2–0 in Argentina and had home wins against Australia and South Africa. The win against South Africa helped Scotland reach their highest world ranking ever, at sixth place.

However, his time as Scotland coach ended after a series of disappointing results. This included a loss to Tonga on November 24, 2012. He resigned the very next day, on November 25, 2012.

Scotland Coaching Record by Country

Here's how Scotland performed under Andy Robinson against different countries:

Opponent	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win ratio (%)	For	Against
Argentina	4	2	0	2	50	55	50
Australia	2	2	0	0	100	18	14
England	4	0	1	3	0	49	66
Fiji	2	2	0	0	100	60	35
France	3	0	0	3	0	47	75
Georgia	1	1	0	0	100	15	6
Ireland	4	2	0	2	50	67	79
Italy	4	2	0	2	50	62	49
New Zealand	2	0	0	2	0	25	100
Romania	1	1	0	0	100	34	24
Samoa	2	2	0	0	100	36	32
South Africa	2	1	0	1	50	31	38
Tonga	1	0	0	1	0	15	21
Wales	3	0	0	3	0	43	82
TOTAL	35	15	1	19	43	469	671

On February 18, 2013, the Bristol Rugby club announced that Andy Robinson was joining them as their new director of rugby. In 2016, under his leadership, Bristol was promoted to the Aviva Premiership.

About Andy Robinson's Family

Andy Robinson is a vegetarian. He has four children. His son, Olly Robinson, plays rugby for the Cardiff Blues. Another son, Ed Robinson, is an assistant coach for Jersey Reds. He also has a son named Henry and a daughter named Charlotte.

Andy Robinson studied at Loughborough University from 1982 to 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sports Science in 1985. The following year, he received a teaching qualification (PGCE).

Career Highlights

• As an England player:
  • Played 8 games.
  • Won 4, Lost 3, Drawn 1.
  • Scored 1 try (against France).

• As England head coach:
  • Coached 22 games.
  • Won 9, Lost 13.
  • Biggest Win: Against Canada 70–0 (November 2004).
  • Biggest Loss (away): Against Australia 3–34 (June 2006).
  • Biggest Loss (home): Against New Zealand 20–41 (November 2006).

• As Scotland head coach:
  • Coached 35 games.
  • Won 15, Lost 19, Drawn 1.

See also

In Spanish: Andy Robinson para niños