Toulon: Rory Lamont didn’t integrate

SCOTLAND back Rory Lamont has been freed by big-spending Toulon after the French club accused him of failing to integrate with his team-mates.

The contract of the former Glasgow and Sale utility back was suddenly cancelled by mutual consent two days ago. And his unexpected availability is sure to alert both Glasgow and Edinburgh after the player implied that he was keen to return to the UK.

Lamont insisted his prime motivation for quitting France was to be involved in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, which starts in February.

But Toulon head coach Bernard Laporte and club owner Mourad Boudjellal alleged that he had become isolated from the rest of the squad.

Laporte, the former France coach, told the French press: “The reason for releasing Rory during the second year of his contract here has not been a sporting one. We have taken the decision because since his return from the World Cup in New Zealand he has had difficulty re-asserting himself within the life of the club.

“He has been holding himself apart from everyone and not integrating.”

Laporte’s sentiments were echoed by multi-millionaire Boudjella, who added: “Lamont was not together with the other players.”

Lamont said on his Twitter site: “I want to play for Scotland and I have to find a club where I can play more rugby – and I promise it will not be in France! Thank you to everyone at Toulon for an amazing time. I am sad to leave – but the possibility of playing has been limited this season.”

Lamont has been trying in vain to earn a place on the wing or at full-back in a backline featuring a host of global superstars such as England’s Jonny Wilkinson, French duo Sebastian Tillous-Borde and Alexis Palisson and Australia’s Matt Giteau

Despite the recent signing of Samoan wing David Lemi, Glasgow coach Sean Lineen may try to lure Lamont back to Firhill, knowing that Canadian wing DTH van der Merwe is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

And the pledge of new SRU chief executive Mark Dodson to make more recruitment cash available to the pro teams will also give Lineen and Edinburgh counterpart Michael Bradley more bargaining strength.