Bath making plans to axe head coach McGeechan

By IAN GIBB FOR MAILONLINE Updated: 15:33 EST, 3 March 2012

Bath are understood to be drawing up a shortlist of candidates to replace Sir Ian McGeechan in the summer and are keeping a close eye on Andy Robinson's position at Scotland.

The West Country club are believed to be unhappy with yet another season of underachievement that looks likely to end without a top-six place in the Aviva Premiership, which means another failure to qualify for the Heineken Cup.

Facing the axe: Sir Ian McGeechan, Bath's director of rugby

I understand meetings have already taken place with the board and soundings have been made.

McGeechan remains one of the most highly respected figures in Northern Hemisphere rugby, especially for his work with the British and Irish Lions, and has enjoyed significant club success.

Wanted: Andy Robinson

He joined Bath in 2010 in a consultancy role before taking over the head coach job from Steve Meehan last year.

Still success has eluded Bath and with new owner Bruce Craig providing significant funds and new training facilities at Farleigh House, the ambitious millionaire is desperate to see the benefits on the pitch.

While the Scottish Rugby Union have not indicated that Robinson's position as head coach is under threat, a run in which Scotland have won only two Tests in their last 13 RBS Six Nations matches has placed a great deal of pressure on the former Bath player and coach.

With a tricky test in Dublin next Saturday to come, his future at Murrayfield may hinge on a wooden-spoon decider in Rome against a difficult Italian side on Saturday week.

If the Scots suffer a whitewash, the clamour to make managerial changes may be too great to ignore.