Lamont to lay down a marker

Scotland star Rory Lamont says he is hoping to use Sunday's Six Nations opener against France at Murrayfield as an opportunity to prove once and for all that his best position is at full-back.

Scotland star Rory Lamont says he is hoping to use Sunday's Six Nations opener against France at Murrayfield as an opportunity to prove once and for all that his best position is at full-back.

Frank Hadden has handed Lamont the number 15 jersey so that he can also accommodate wingers Simon Webster and Nikki Walker – but the coach has made it clear he still thinks the 25-year-old is most effective out wide.

That is not an opinion Lamont shares.

“I'm happy to do a job on the wing but I feel I have the potential to be a better full-back – and I just need game time to prove that,” he said.

“I was surprised when Frank told me I was playing full-back, because I have been playing on the wing down at Sale.

“But that tells me that even if Frank thinks the wing is my best position he also trusts me as a rugby player to slot in elsewhere, which is a great vote of confidence to be given. Now I have to repay that faith.”

Lamont is frustrated that he has played practically all of his rugby with the number 11 jersey on his back since moving from Glasgow to Sale this summer – but he is prepared to bide his time.

“I haven't spoken to the coaches about it, because I'm just delighted to get in the starting XV,” he said.

“I just feel like they haven't really seen what I am capable of doing. I haven't yet come off the pitch feeling really satisfied with my performance – and I think that is because I haven't been playing in the position where I feel most comfortable.”

Lamont prefers to be in the thick of the action more often.

“I haven't been getting my hands on the ball enough at Sale – which is frustrating,” he admits.

“That's why I prefer full-back – you can get into the game much more. So I hope throughout this Six Nations it will all come together.”

Lamont is delighted to have a chance in his preferred position against France – but would have been more than happy to slot in wherever required.

“I remember growing up and watching Scotland, and they never really had a huge amount of options in the back three – whereas now we have got so many quality back-three players that to get into the squad is an achievement,” he reasoned.

“To be starting ahead of players such people as Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson and Simon Danielli is a great privilege.”