Scotland coach Andy Robinson has urged his team to show the same "courage" they demonstrated in their recent victory over Australia during the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

Former England coach Robinson quickly endeared himself to Scottish rugby fans when, after taking over this season, he led his new side to their first win over the Wallabies in 28 years.

That 9-8 win at Murrayfield was built on a colossal defensive display and ex-England flanker Robinson wants to see more of the same when Scotland open their Six Nations campaign at home to France on February 7.

"This is a warrior sport and you are searching for the toughest competitors that will put their bodies on the line," Robinson said at the Six Nations launch in London on Wednesday.

"You saw that after the Australia game the players, in winning the game 9-8, inspired the nation. The guys understand what it means.

"The courage they showed that day, in putting their bodies on the line, was fantastic. We want Murrayfield to be an intimidating place to play.

"What we have at the moment is competition for places and that was born out on Tuesday with a training session that was very lively.

"There are guys that are really pushing to be in that starting XV. That is what raises the standards.

"The preparation over the next two weeks is not about wrapping guys in cotton wool, it is about preparing to perform in an international game that is going to be very physical, very intimidating and will put the guys under massive pressure."

Robinson inherited a Scotland side from former coach Frank Hadden that was in dire straits after a run of 14 defeats in 17 Tests.

Victory over Australia helped rebuild Scotland's standing in the eyes of their own players and fans and Robinson wants to use that as a springboard to further success in a Six Nations tournament where the Scots have struggled in recent seasons.

In the last six Championships, Scotland have been out of the bottom two only once and Robinson made clear he wants more from his side than an annual battle with Italy to avoid coming last.

Away wins have proved especially elusive and Robinson said: "The important thing for us is to focus on the first game against France.

"In the last couple of years we have lost that first game and we need to get a foothold in the tournament," he said.

"It is also about putting back-to-back wins together and that means winning away from home."

Robinson endured a miserable spell in charge of England, having previously been deputy to 2003 World Cup winning boss Clive Woodward, but rediscovered his zest for the game during a successful stint as coach of Edinburgh.

Despite his close involvement with England, few voices were raised against him taking charge of the national side.

Scotland captain Chris Cusiter, who worked with Robinson on the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, was in no doubt about the difference the former Bath boss had made to Scottish fortunes.

"With Andy taking over we really enjoyed the autumn series," said Cusiter.

"Andy's competitive spirit speaks for itself. Not one player has questioned why Andy is in charge of Scotland.

"He is the best man for the job. He is as desperate to win as any Scots guy. We trust him implicitly."

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