The Scotsman reports
DAVID FERGUSON

RORY Lamont has revealed that the concussion he suffered playing for Scotland in November had hindered his attempts to get back into the international picture this year.

The winger was one of the hottest prospects in Scottish rugby when he joined Glasgow two years ago and made a try-scoring international debut against Wales in the 2005 Six Nations Championship. He played in the next two Tests and the historic first win over the Barbarians and his link-up with elder brother Sean in Scotland's back division began to attract comparisons with the Hastings brothers, Gavin and Scott.


However, the younger Lamont's Test ambitions hit the rocks in November when he was concussed in diving for the try-line against Samoa and the closest he came to a Test return was as a stand-by back during the recent Six Nations. However, preparing for Glasgow's Celtic League clash with Ulster at Firhill tonight, he said: "I got concussion against Samoa and I struggled with the effects of that for about three months afterwards, even though I was back playing.

"It wasn't as severe as what Euan Murray [Glasgow team-mate] got, but it definitely had lasting side- effects. I suffered exercise-induced headaches. I was feeling fine, but whenever my body was taking strain physically the headaches would develop. I'm fully recovered now, but I know I am facing a tough battle to get back into the Test squad.

"I am desperate to get back in. I don't feel I've been playing badly and I would love to be involved against the Barbarians. But I think this summer the Scotland A tour to Canada would be a more realistic target for me to aim for."

Lamont is still only 23 and, at 6ft2ins and nearly 16st, remains well-suited to modern wing play. He knows, however, that good performances for under-performing Glasgow hold the secret to re-igniting his Test career. A good display against an exciting Ulster back line, in which young Irish stars Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe stand out, would go a long way to forcing him back into the reckoning.

Another player with Test ambitions re-awoken is flanker Andrew Wilson, who returns tonight after six months recovering from a fractured dislocated ankle. Coach Sean Lineen, who picks Wilson ahead of John Barclay, said: "It has been a frustrating time for him, but hopefully against Ulster he will get the chance to show what he can do, particularly with the Barbarians game and the Scotland tours fast approaching."

Meanwhile, Glasgow have had the dates and kick-off times for their remaining matches this season confirmed by the Celtic League.

Glasgow (v Ulster at Firhill, 5.30pm, live on Setanta Sports 2): G Staniforth; R Lamont, H O'Hare, A Henderson, C Shaw; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, S Lawson, E Murray, D Turner, C Hamilton, A Wilson, J Petrie, D Macfadyen. Subs: F Thomson, B Prescott, J Eddie, J Beattie, J Barclay, C Howarth, S Davey.

Glasgow's remaining fixtures. Friday 28 April: A v Newport-Gwent Dragons (7.10pm, live on BBC Wales). Sunday 7 May: H v Leinster (7.30pm, live on Setanta). Friday 12 May: H v Llanelli (Firhill, 7.10pm, live on Setanta). Friday 26 May: A v Connacht (Sportsground, 6.30pm).

This article was posted on 15-Apr-2006, 07:45 by Hugh Barrow.