Sean Lamont has been ”multi-tasking” according to Scotland head coach Andy Robinson but he’s back where he feels he really belongs for the fourth RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland in Dublin.
The Blairgowrie boy has lined up at inside and outside centre in the first three games, and he is aware as anyone about what that means for the team.
”I feel like I’ve played everywhere but 9 or 10 now, but hopefully I’ll keep away from those,” he joked. ”I’ll obviously play for Scotland anywhere I’m asked, but I’m a winger, so to be back there makes it a bit easier.
”To be honest you won’t get much difference in game style between myself on the centre or on the wing, my job is to carry the ball. If you’re picking me at 12 and 13, you’re not getting a distributing centre, are you?
”Being on the wing gives you a bit more freedom. I can roam a bit more, I get a little bit more time on the ball as well. I can take it a little bit deeper whereas at centre it’s a lot more in your face.
”Hopefully I can work out a few more one-on-ones which makes things more exciting as well.”
Sean has been more vocal than most about his frustration at Scotland’s failure to put away games they get in position to win, and that’s not any different this week.
”It’s almost more frustrating this season because we’re playing some really good rugby and not getting the results,” he said. ”It’s easier to take if you’re playing badly and losing, but the fact that we’re doing really well and still not getting that finish makes it even more so.
”We just need to get the balance right in how much we play. Sometimes we do try to play it out too much, whereas a simple long-range kick down field puts the pressure back on them, and that’s something Andy’s spoken about, that there’s several ways to put pressure on teams.”
Sean even risked offending a few team-mates last year when he made outspoken comments of ”shape up or ship out” after the defeat to Wales.
”That anger was because that game the physicality let us down, and there should be no reason for physicality being the let-down factor,” he said. ”We play against big guys all the time but if you don’t match up to them on the field then that’s when you ask questions.
“There was a little bit of frustration from myself because of the fact I was dropped and I should never, ever put myself in the form to be dropped. That was my issue.
”I was trying to say ‘don’t be complacent and don’t give the coaches the opportunity to drop you because you’re not wanting it enough or not playing well, or resting on your laurels’. This year we’re putting in so much endeavour and that has made it a lot harder to take.”
Sean has the responsibility of looking after youngsters Stuart Hogg and Lee Jones in the back three and also coping with Tommy Bowe, fresh from his two tries in Paris.
”The Irish are in great form and Tommy’s not doing too badly is he?” he continued. ”We know they’re a really dangerous back three. Their kicking game is good and you can counter-attack, but you get that defensive wall set up and it’s tough for one player to beat a defensive wall of four.
”Tommy’s like any player, you have to make your tackles. We’re aware of his style. He’s a big strong runner and he likes the intercept. We’re aware of that. He did it last weekend but he does that for the Ospreys as well, and we know him maybe better than the French from the PRO 12.”
Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Wire