Rugby World Cup 2011: Robinson states desire to stay on

Robinson is planning for next year's Six Nations

Andy Robinson has underlined his commitment to his role as Scotland head coach, despite the team's early exit from the World Cup.

Scotland's first-ever failure to reach the quarter-finals was confirmed by Argentina's defeat of Georgia.

But Robinson says far from considering quitting, he will now begin planning for next year's Six Nations.

"I have a contract to 2015 and I have the desire to still coach Scotland," he told BBC Scotland.

Scotland led England for much of Saturday's crunch Pool B match but, even at 12-3, they could not hold the required eight-point margin over their old foes and eventually lost the game 16-12.

"The way the players have gone about this tournament - the enthusiasm that they've had - has fuelled my desire even more to create a successful Scotland team," added Robinson.

"Obviously everybody's hugely disappointed with the way that we ended the tournament and with not qualifying for the quarter-final stages.

"But there's a lot of positives I'm going to take out of the tournament and for the squad it's important now we're able to start the planning now for the Six Nations."

Robinson became Scotland coach in 2009 and earlier this year signed a contract extension to take him to the end of 2015, after the World Cup in England.

"There's a frustration for the Scottish supporters and anybody involved in Scottish rugby and also for the players," Robinson said.

"There's a great group of players here and they put themselves into winning positions and were unable to see it out.

"Winning and losing is about small margins; it's about the inches.

"That's what Test rugby's about. You've got to be able to finish teams off. We weren't able to do that.

"It's a hard lesson. Sometimes sport can be cruel, but it's about how you can bounce yourself back and get yourselves ready for your next challenge."

A number of members of the squad left New Zealand on Sunday, soon after their elimination was confirmed by Argentina's win. Further groups will leave on Monday and Tuesday.

Robinson added: "For the players, those challenges will be going back to their clubs and being able to deliver for their clubs.

"For the team management it's about preparing a side to be involved in the Six Nations and ironically our first game will be against England at Murrayfield."