Andy Robinson has paid tribute to the team spirit he has experienced since joining Edinburgh as the club's new head coach at the start of the month.

It has been a difficult summer for Edinburgh, with all staff facing an uncertain future after the relationship between the Scottish Rugby Union and the consortium which took control of the club in July 2006 turned sour.

During the turmoil, several leading players - including Simon Taylor, Chris Paterson, Rob Dewey, Scott Murray, Marcus Di Rollo and Dougie Hall - decided to leave.

With several other senior players away on international duty, Robinson has been left with a threadbare squad.

However, the former England head coach (pictured) has been delighted with the attitude he has encountered since taking over from interim coach Henry Edwards.

"I've been really impressed with the 'team-ship' there is here, and the way the players get on with it," he said.

"There are no prima donnas - everyone just gets out there and works really, really hard. There is a great work ethic at the club, and there is a great club atmosphere.

"Rugby is the greatest team game you can play. It is all about everyone pulling together, and that is what I have seen here. That is a really strong foundation we can build on.

"In any team you work with, the most important thing is 'team-ship' and how they all pull together.

"Every team is different, with different characters and different people who contribute in different ways, and Edinburgh has its own unique way of having those team ethics."

There has inevitably been a need to adapt under Robinson's stewardship - but the reaction of all concerned has been a big help to him.

"New players have been integrated into the squad - like Ben Meyer and Ben Gissing, who joined during the summer - and they've contributed well," he said.

"The next couple of weeks will be about the international players coming back in and adding to what this team has already developed. It won't be about changing a lot - it will be about tinkering with what has already been started here."

Robinson was speaking after naming his team for tomorrow's Magners League clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.

He has made only one change from the team which started last weekend's 13-13 home draw against the Ospreys.

Simon Cross, who missed that game with a shoulder injury, returns at number eight and will also captain the side.

"The important thing with selection is to create some continuity - to get guys used to playing with each other," said Robinson.

"The team spirit has clearly come together this summer, thanks to the work (backs coach) Rob Moffat and Henry Edwards have done, and the players have really pulled together under Simon's captaincy - so it's important to keep that going."

Robinson will be unable to attend tomorrow night's match as he has World Cup-related media commitments which he is obliged to fulfil.

SportingLife / Eurosport