Former Scotland flanker Peter Walton insists Edinburgh’s impressive start in the Magners League is down to the foundations set by former coach Andy Robinson – and he believes the national side will soon too reap the benefits of his expertise.

Edinburgh sit at the top of the table despite recording their first defeat of the season against Leinster on Saturday, courtesy of a final minute drop goal from John Sexton.

Robinson guided Edinburgh to their highest ever finishes in his two years at the club, but stepped down in June to replace departing head coach Frank Hadden in the national set-up.

And Walton, who won 24 caps for Scotland, maintains Robinson is the right man to bring some pride back to Scottish rugby.

He said: “Scotland have got a great coach in Andy Robinson. The work he has done with Edinburgh over the past couple of years has been tremendous.

“I’ve got no doubt that he will be a success with Scotland. His experience means he will know what to do to get the best out of his players and I’m sure we’ll see a strong Scotland side with him at the helm.”

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Elsewhere, Scotland centre Max Evans believes he is less than a fortnight away from a welcome first-team return.

The Glasgow starlet has not played since May as he has been struck down with a knee injury that has required two operations.

But Evans has returned to training and believes he could figure when Sean Lineen’s men start their Heineken Cup campaign against Biarritz on October 10.

“I would like to think that I will be ready to return at the start of the European campaign,” said Evans.

“It’s looking encouraging for that – I underwent more surgery last week but I’m stepping up my training.”