Scotland wing Lamont leaves Saints for Scarlets

Published on Friday 1 May 2009 22:28

SEAN Lamont will play in the Magners League next season, but not with a Scottish club after he agreed to sign for Llanelli Scarlets.

The 28-year-old Scotland winger is leaving Northampton after four seasons during which time he made 68 appearances and scored 23 tries, including four in one match against Saracens. Lamont had come through the ranks at Rotherham, having left Perth to head south with his family at the age of seven.

He returned to his native country to represent Scotland in the 2002 Commonwealth Games sevens tournament and won a contract at Glasgow, where he went on to earn his first Scotland caps in 2004-5. He has amassed 37 caps, despite spending much of the past two years sidelined by serious injury.

Lamont had interested Edinburgh, but it is believed they could not compete with salaries being offered in England, France and Wales. His brother, Rory, who has also suffered with serious injuries, is also leaving English rugby, for Toulon in France.

Hugo Southwell, meanwhile, is hopeful of holding down a regular starting berth at Stade Francais next season after agreeing a two-year contract with the French side earlier this week.

"It's going to be a massive challenge because they have four or five great quality players who can play full-back," he said, "but it's up to me to prove I deserve to be in there and, though it won't be easy, I am confident I can."

Southwell is also keen to catch the eye of the new Scotland coach. He added: "I believe I have signed for one of the best teams in France, if not the best in terms of consistency over recent years, and while I recognise that Scotland chances sometimes get hindered by moving away, Stade's games are at a high level and are regularly on TV, so I should be seen.

"I desperately want to play more for Scotland, but I also want to offer more and help Scotland move forward too, and hopefully this move can help that."