Lamont is leaving at right time
HIS departure may prove a little more low-key than he would have liked, but Sean Lamont is content that his retirement is coming on his own terms.
Glasgow Warriors look to have failed to make it into the Pro12 play-offs this season — for the first time during Gregor Townsend’s tenure — and were knocked out of Europe by Saracens at the quarter-final stage two weeks ago.
The opportunity to put one over Warriors’ closest rivals Edinburgh next month may yet provide a fitting finale, but, for Lamont, there have already been enough highs in what has been a long and successful career, in which he has amassed an impressive 105 caps for his country.
Now 36, the versatile back, who scored the try that secured a bonus-point victory over Connacht earlier this month, admits he already knew his playing days were coming to a close.
Warriors have three league matches to go, their seasonending derby against Edinburgh at Scotstoun on Saturday, May 6 — and Lamont, after confirming his decision to end his playing career yesterday, insists he has really enjoyed himself in what has been his final campaign.
‘It has been great to be involved this season even although we maybe won’t make the play-offs,’ said Lamont, who scored 31 tries in 111 games in two stints at the club.
‘Scoring a try against Connacht was really pleasing, but there is definitely a slowing down for me.
‘I have had my time and it feels right to leave. I was going to retire at the end of last year, but managed to convince the powers-that-be at Glasgow to give me one more year.
‘I am going on my terms now. It is time as although I can still do it, there are a lot of younger guys who can do it better. It is a young man’s sport, definitely.’
Although playing for Scotland was his biggest honour, it was his two stints at Warriors that stand out for him at club level.
His early years in Glasgow from 2003 to 2005 were special because he played with his brother Rory. When he returned in 2012, he saw a club much improved and fulfilled his dream of picking up silverware.
‘The 2015 league win with Glasgow against Munster, without a doubt, outside Scotland games, was a career highlight,’ said Perth-born Lamont. ‘It was a special win because of the way we really put them to the sword in the final.
‘From my first stint at Glasgow, the highlight has to be when Rory and I got five tries between us against Llanelli down there, which seems a long time ago now. I have really enjoyed both my stints at the club as it is a special place.
‘When I came back to Glasgow five years ago, I could see how the club had grown and how the crowd has grown in support with it. On a personal level, it felt like coming home.
‘We won the Pro12 in 2015 and, this year, we made history by making the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup for the first time, so the club is moving in the right direction.’
Lamont, who also played for Rotherham, Scarlets and Northampton Saints, added: ‘We work hard and are a humble bunch and that is part of the reason for Glasgow’s success.
‘There are no cliques at Glasgow. Everybody is together. It is a great club that will always be special to me.’
Townsend said he would give Lamont every chance to score a few more tries before he retired.
‘It would be great to see Sean run in one or two more tries in our final few games with Glasgow before he finally hangs up his boots,’ said the head coach. ‘He has been a great player for club and country.’