The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lamont extends Glasgow stay
GLA SGOW’S SEA N Lamont has handed the Warriors a boost ahead of Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 final by pledging his future to the club.
The 86-time capped Scotland wing — who will feature for the country’s rugby s evens s quad at t his s ummer’s Commonwealth Games — has agreed a new two-year deal.
He has been joined in penning new terms by another wing, youngster Rory Hughes, who has signed his first one-year professional contract,
Lamont — who rejoined Warriors in 2012 after spells with Northampton and Scarlets — will hope to double up his contract celebrations by helping Glasgow win their first Pro12 title this weekend when they travel to Dublin to face Leinster.
He said: “It was fantastic to be able to come back to Glasgow in 2012 and I’m delighted to be staying here for at least another two years.
“I’m now one of the oldest players at the club, but I feel good and I want to continue to play at the highest level for as long as possible.
“I’m happy in Glasgow and I’m proud to be playing for this club.
“We’ve had a good season so far but we’re not finished yet. We’re all really looking forward to our first RaboDirect PRO12 final this weekend.”
Hughes, 21, made his debut for the club in the win over Connacht at Scotstoun in February and has gone on to make three appearances for Gregor Townsend’s men.
The head coach said: “This will give everyone at the club and our supporters a boost ahead of the final with Leinster on Saturday.
“Sean has worked hard this season and is in great physical shape.
“He has played in four different positions in the backline for us and has performed at a consistently high level.
“Rory is strong, quick and has made a number of technical improvements this season. The work he has put in has been transferred into much more control and discipline in his game. It’s great news that he’s going to continue his development at Scotstoun.”
Glasgow assistant coach Matt Taylor, meanwhile, insists sentiment will not come into Townsend’s mind as he decides whether to pick any of his departing players for the final clash with Leinster.
But it will also be the final chance for prop Moray Low, scrum-half Chris Cusiter and stand-off Ruaridh Jackson to pull on the club’s black and blue jersey after agreeing moves to Exeter, Sale andWasps respectively.
British and Irish Lion Stuart Hogg could also play his last game for Glasgow after he was linked with a move to Ulster.
But Taylor insists it is only form and tactics that will sway Townsend as he prepares to name his starting XV.
He said: “It’s always a difficult one when players who have been at the club for a while are moving on.
“You would love to give them a starting position in a big game like Saturday’s.
“But in the end you have to pick your team based on who you think is best going to execute your strategy.
“Unfortunately, if that player who is leaving is not the best guy to do that, then he’s not going to get the nod.
“Sentiment does not come into it. You just have to pick the best players.”
Glasgow have won nine games in a row to reach their first ever final and defence specialist Taylor says the side have already settled on a game-plan to cope with Matt O’Connor’s Boys in Blue.
“We have been the best defensive team in the competition this year so we take a lot of confidence from that,” he said.
“We have spent a long time looking at Leinster over the last month so have a lot of plans in place for the final.
“But discipline is going to be an area we will need to be careful on. Last year we scored two tries to one but our discipline let us down. We have highlighted that and done a lot in training to make sure that is covered. The stats are now backing that up.”