A senior Scotland team won a tournament for the first time in a decade as the Andy Robinson era got off to the perfect start in Bucharest last night.

A senior Scotland team won a tournament for the first time in a decade as the Andy Robinson era got off to the perfect start in Bucharest last night.

The Englishman who has taken over as head coach is on a mission to teach the Scots players what winning is about and three victories to lift the IRB Nations Cup with what was a genuine second-string side has set a benchmark.

For one or two of the team, this may end up being a career highlight, but many more have shown with their performances here that they have a Test future, as was noted by Chris Cusiter, the captain who got to lift the silverware while his great rival, Mike Blair, was in South Africa among Lions licking their wounds.

"We prepared for a few days for this and a win was the only thing that was going to be acceptable," said Cusiter, who was named player of the tournament. "A lot of the guys who are coming up through the ranks have really put their hands up and I've really enjoyed working with Andy."

This was a huge game for Ruaridh Jackson and the 21-year-old playmaker was on top of his game from the off. His initial kick-off was well weighted, allowing pressure to be put on Yoann Maestri who dropped the ball into the path of the on-rushing Craig Hamilton. After the Scots shifted the ball across the field to the right his show of the ball and sidestep produced the game's first half-break, although he was unable to find his support.

However, when the Scots were awarded a penalty for a scrummage infringement soon afterwards Jackson put the troubles he had with his goal-kicking against Russia nine days earlier behind him by slotting it sweetly away from wide on the right.

At the restart, French recklessness indicated how much this match mattered to them as Maestri blatantly tackled Al Kellock in the air, then started throwing punches at him on the ground.

France's indiscipline cost them again when Jerome Huget threw himself wildly and late at Simon Webster's feet after the winger had taken the ball at pace then chipped towards the corner. From wide on the left this time, Jackson was again on target.

His third opportunity came as a result of a harsh decision against the French when the referee decided they had driven upwards and illegally as they demolished a Scottish scrummage. Jackson showed no trace of conscience as he coolly registered three more points.

The Scots showed show their defensive quality when their opponents had a sustained spell of pressure close to the try line but could not force their way over, Fabrice Estebanez having to settle for getting his side on the board with an easy chance.

Jackson missed a long-range opportunity to cancel it out but was shifting the ball with real conviction and very much looking the part.

Defensively, all the Scots were working well, responding to their coach's pre-match demand that they harass the French constantly when in possession.

A dart by Cusiter gave Alex Grove another chance to show how well he reads the game as he appeared on the captain's shoulder to provide support. Then Jackson was again sharp, finding Ben Cairns running a good angle, staying aware to take the return pass before committing defenders by staying on his feet well and forcing a further penalty as defenders smothered the ball to prevent its quick release Again the Glasgow stand-off made them pay and early in the second half he was given his easiest chance so far when Jean-Phillippe Genevois was not only penalised but sin-binned for failing to roll away from a ruck.

Scotland's lead was briefly 12 points, but a high tackle let Estebanez bring it back to nine almost immediately.

Even before the French were back to full strength they were beginning to achieve real dominance for the first time in the match and when the Scottish scrummage was overpowered again this time the award went their way and Estebanez brought his side within a score.

Regis Lespinas fired over a drop goal from close to halfway before a long-range penalty attempt from Jim Thompson dropped well short.

However, just when a lift was needed, Cusiter typically provided it, breaking into the French 22 off a delightful pass from Alan MacDonald at the tail of the lineout. Nick De Luca offered fine support and Scotland quickly shifted the ball left where Cairns found Richie Vernon making a run which took him clean through and round behind the posts.

It was the decisive blow and from that point, while Scotland had to demonstrate their determination to win with a couple of pieces of excellent scrambling defence around halfway, they kept their opponents a long way from their try line.

For France A there was not even the consolation of finishing runners-up in the tournament as Italy A's win over Romania was enough to edge them ahead on points difference.