Rory Lamont retires from professional rugby

GLASGOW and Scotland full-back Rory Lamont has been forced to retire from professional rugby after being told he faces another operation.

Rory Lamont training prior to a Scotland match in January 2012. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The 30-year-old, originally from Perthshire, returned to Glasgow in December 2011, from French side Toulon, but then suffered a broken leg in Scotland’s RBS Six Nations Championship game with France last year.

Lamont, who had earned 29 caps, made a try-scoring debut for Scotland against Wales in 2005 and, at his peak, was a British and Irish Lions quality performer, but he has arguably been rugby’s most unlucky player, apparently undergoing a total of ten operations in the eight years since. The last two to correct the latest damage have not enabled him to return to the match arena and he now faces another with the potential to keep him out of the game until late in the year. He has decided enough is enough.

“I’m sad to be retiring from professional rugby,” he said in a statement, “but I’ve been struggling with injury for some time now and it’s clear I won’t be able to get back to the level I was playing at before.

“Despite a tough time personally, it’s been a privilege to see the boys do so well and make such good progress this season. It’s fantastic to have been at the club during this exciting time and I wish them all the very best for the remaining games this season.”

Later, on his Twitter account, he added: “Well that’s it folks, I’m sad to say that after 14 months and exhausting every possible avenue to recovery, I’m forced to retire from rugby. A big thank you to anyone who has shown me support throughout my career. I have huge gratitude for the experiences that rugby has given to me.

“The highlight being the amazing people I have had the privilege to meet along the way and consequently the lifelong friendships formed.

“There will be many things I’m going to miss, but I’ve had a pretty good stint. It’s now time to be set free into the real world!” Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend, said:

“Rory has had a frustrating time with injury and everyone at the club feels for him not being able to get back to fitness. We were all hoping he would make a full recovery and show what he could do in a Warriors jersey.

“I’d like to thank him for his contribution to the club over his two spells here and he goes with our very best wishes for the future.”

Meanwhile, as the club looks to the future, supporters made their feelings known about the present this week when they voted scrum-half Niko Matawalu their Glasgow Warriors player of the season at a gala dinner in Glasgow.

The Fijian, who only turned pro on joining Glasgow last summer, has scored seven tries in 15 RaboDirect PRO12 appearance and two in six Heineken Cup games, and, in the absence of injured Scotland star Chris Cusiter, been the stand-out performer for Glasgow in crucial matches.

He was presented with the award by Alan Frizzell from club sponsors The Edrington Group.

Matawalu said: “It’s an honour for me to receive this award in my first season in Glasgow and I’d like to thank all the supporters who voted for me.

“Everything at Glasgow is very professional and that has helped me develop my game over the last few months. We’re a very close squad, just like a big

family.”

Mark Bennett collected the young player of the season award, Peter Horne picked up the try of the season for his solo effort at home to Northampton in the Heineken Cup, the most improved player trophy went to full-back Peter

Murchie, James Eddie won the special coaches award for his work ethic and commitment to the club and full-back Stuart Hogg was voted the Test player of the season.