Robinson wary of Fiji power

Robinson: Physical challenge

They (Fiji) love running with the ball, they also love hitting you and going forward in defence and smashing you backwards.

Andy Robinson
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Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has told his players they must overcome Fiji's physical power when the sides meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Robinson kicks off his reign as Scotland manager against the Pacific Islanders in Edinburgh this weekend, and has named 10 changes to the last side picked by his predecessor Frank Hadden.

Only five players who started Scotland's RBS Six Nations defeat to England in March retain their place as Robinson opts for a more physical starting XV.

Rory and Sean Lamont have both been recalled in the back three and there is no place in the starting XV for Chris Paterson.

He also has a new captain in Chris Cusiter, who got the nod over joint skipper Mike Blair in the battle for the scrum-half berth.

But asked if his selection proved this was a 'Robinson revolution', he said: "Not at all. This is about picking a side to perform against Fiji and we look at this as a 22.

Balance

"The guys that haven't been selected that are on the bench, they've got an impact to make as well.

"It's about the whole squad and how that works."

Asked if the team represented the Robinson blueprint going forward, he replied: "It's a team to play Fiji and win the game and the key for us is that we understand that rugby is a physical game; you have to win the collisions, you have to establish a go-forward.

"But it's also being able to have the skill levels to open up the spaces.

"I'd like to think that we've got the balance there in the 22 to be able to deliver that."

He added of Fiji: "They love running with the ball, they also love hitting you and going forward in defence and smashing you backwards.

"So we've got to be able to deal with their physicality, we've got to be able to attack through the spaces."

Worcester centre Alex Grove will make his debut at Murrayfield and there is also a first start for Glasgow prop Moray Low.

Robinson said: "It's a tough team pick; there's a real competition for places, and a number of 50-50 calls that had to be made.

"It's looking at the balance of the squad, looking at how we're going to put combinations together.

"I've been pleased with the way that Sean Lamont has performed for the Scarlets, but also Rory at Toulon, both going to new clubs.

Impact

"Chris Cusiter as captain; I think he's a had a great impact with Glasgow Warriors this year.

"It's been tough for him because he's had a number of injuries at times and a bit of illness, but when he's performed, he's been right up there."

Explaining what gave Cusiter - who has yet to lead his country - the nod over Blair, who had been sole captain for the last year-and-a-half, Robinson said: "At times, you look at the team you're playing against.

"But also, these calls are very close; I've got to pick one of these guys and I felt that it was right to start with Chris.

"He has been very consistent this year and I've enjoyed watching the way that he's run with the ball as well."

With the prolific Paterson on the bench, the onus will now be on fly-half Phil Godman to take his breathtaking form with Edinburgh on to the international stage.

Robinson said: "Phil's had a good record for Scotland - 81 per cent in the Magners League last year and I've been pleased with the times he's goal-kicked at international level.

"It's about Phil stepping up and obviously Chris will have an impact at some stage in the game.""