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GLASGOW (AFP) –
Scotland’s Rory Lamont gives a press conference on September 13, 2011. Lamont was forced to retire on Friday after losing his battle to recover from a broken leg.
Scotland star Rory Lamont was forced to retire on Friday after losing his battle to recover from a broken leg.
Lamont has had surgery twice since fracturing a fibula during a Six Nations clash against France in February 2012, but the injury persisted to such an extent that the Glasgow Warriors ace opted to hang up his boots.
“I’m sad to be retiring from professional rugby 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 at before,” Lamont said.
“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!”
Lamont underwent surgery soon after suffering the fractured fibula, when he landed awkwardly under pressure as he contested a restart. But there were further complications and he later had another operation.
The former Sale and Toulon player returned to competitive action with Dundee High in January and made his Glasgow comeback by playing almost an hour in a victory over Zebre on February 10.
That proved to be his final professional game though and he has quit seven days after his team-mates sealed a Celtic League play-off spot.
Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend paid tribute to Lamont, adding: “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’d 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.”
Lamont, whose brother Sean plays for Glasgow, made his Scotland debut against Wales in 2005 and won 29 caps for his country.
