Lamont joins Scotland 7s staff

Scotland centurion Sean Lamont has today been confirmed as the Scotland 7s Strength & Conditioning coach and Team Manager for the 2019/20 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series campaign, which kicks off in Dubai next week.

The 105-times capped winger featured at three Rugby World Cups and two Commonwealth Games, hanging up his boots in 2017 after a 13-year international career. He replaces Derrick Spiers, who is moving on after more than two years in the role.

Former Glasgow Warriors, Northampton Saints and Scarlets back Lamont most recently worked as an S&C coach for the FOSROC Academy and during Scotland’s Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan.

He said: “It’s an honour to come into the Scotland 7s group in a coaching capacity. I’m truly grateful to Scottish Rugby and Ciaran Beattie [Head Coach] for the opportunity.

“Strength and conditioning is so important to a rugby player, especially on the sevens circuit when the body has to be completely ready for the rigours of tournament rugby.

“The role of Team Manager is exciting as it’s another chance to learn a new facet of the game, so I can’t wait for the season to officially get started.

“I have always had a soft spot for Scotland 7s. For one it’s a really exciting format of the game, with some unique demands on the players, and of course it was also was created in Scotland.”

Lamont in action at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

A stellar career had many of its roots in the shortened format of the game. He was selected to represent development side NIG Scottish Thistles at the Melrose Sevens in 2001 after which Roy Laidlaw, then in charge, invited him into the Scotland squad for the Malaysia leg of the World Sevens Series.

He never looked back with appearances in London and Cardiff that same season, before being named in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games squad.

Lamont’s love affair with sevens went full circle when he was selected in Scotland’s 2014 Commonwealth Games squad for Glasgow, some 16 years after that breakthrough performance at The Greenyards.

He added: “Being able to give back to the sport that has given me so much, especially in the format that kick-started it all, is both humbling and exciting, particularly with the current player group we have.

“I’ve been very impressed with them in terms of work ethic and culture and I can’t wait to see them perform on the circuit.”

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series begins on Thursday 5 December in Dubai, where Scotland will compete in Pool B against Australia, USA and Ireland.