THE SCOTTISH RUGBY Union (SRU) revealed on Tuesday that they are considering appointing an interim coach to take charge of the Scotland team during the Six Nations.

Andy Robinson left his role as head coach after the 21-15 loss to Tonga last month and his senior assistant, Australian Scott Johnson, is reportedly prepared to step into the breach.

“We have already received a number of applications for the job,” SRU chief executive Mark Dodson told Scottish newspaper The Scotsman.

“We are reviewing these as well as looking at home and abroad for the best candidate to take Scotland forward to the Rugby World Cup.

“We have the RBS Six Nations just round the corner and, given the timescales involved, we are looking at the possibility of an interim appointment as we don’t want to rush into making the decision.

“The most important thing we can do is get someone in to take the team forward for the long term.”

Scotland begin their 2013 Six Nations campaign with a game against England at Twickenham on February 3.

Johnson has previously taken charge of both Wales and the United States, making him the leading candidate, but former Glasgow Warriors coach Sean Lineen is reportedly also under consideration.

“I have not had a chance to speak to the (SRU) officials but I intend to in the next week or so,” Johnson said.

“That will decide where I am placed in the job and if the job suits me, and if it suits them for me to take it.

“I am secure in the fact that I have come here for a couple of years and I have only just started.”

- © AFP, 2012

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