The Sunday Post (Dundee)

Phenomenal! Tommy can’t believe he’s a Lion

- By Alan Shaw sport@sundaypost.com

TOMMY SEYMOUR admits he’s perhaps an unlikely Lion.

Born in Nashville, he only took up rugby when his family moved to Belfast where he was a bit-part player for Ulster.

But since signing for Glasgow, the wing’s stock has soared and 16 tries in 36 Scotland caps – plus his second-to-none ability under the high ball – secured his place on the plane to New Zealand alongside Stuart Hogg.

“Growing up as an academy player in Ulster, Stephen Ferris went on a Lions’ tour and that was probably the first one I paid attention to,” says Seymour.

“I remember four years ago when Hoggy was first picked. We were all in the changing-room watching the announceme­nt and I had yet to get my first cap, so I was hopeful Sean Maitland would be picked so there would be a wing spot for the Scotland tour.

“And there was, and I ended up getting my first cap. It’s amazing to look back on that journey now.

“The Lions is a phenomenal tradition and to say that I have been allowed to take part in that is beyond belief.”

Nathan Hines, who’s coached the pair for the past couple of years with Scotland, was a Lion in 2009 and thinks Seymour is just the type of player who will benefit massively from his selection.

“Tommy is always trying to get better and sees things he wants to improve,” says Hines.

“A Lions tour is another beast altogether. You play and then two days later there’s another game, and your body adjusts.

“It’s just as well it’s only six weeks because it’s intense. I remember the Southern Kings, we were bashed like I’ve never been bashed in my life but you just pick yourself up and go again.

“You learn a lot about yourself mentally in terms of how well you adjust to that, and physically from how your body copes with it, and also how you interact with guys you don’t normally play with.

“You need to ‘speed-date’ to get to know your team-mates in a short space of time.

“You’re going to be standing next to them getting heat put on you from an internatio­nal side that has been together for some time so that’s the challenge with the Lions, being able to throw yourself into the red jersey, and show how good you are.”

Before the Lions set off, the European finals will be held at BT Murrayfiel­d and Hines has a particular interest in one of today’s semi-finals in which two of his old teams, Clermont and Leinster, resume their rivalry.

“So many times we’ve played against each other, I can’t remember whether I was playing for Leinster or Clermont,” laughs Hines, who won what was then the Heineken Cup with the Irish province in 2011.

“Leinster haven’t lost for a long time and Clermont have lost two at home in their last five games but it’s a tough one to call.”

 ??  ?? Scotland’s Lions – Tommy Seymour (left) and Stuart Hogg.
Scotland’s Lions – Tommy Seymour (left) and Stuart Hogg.

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