Melton RFC old boy Sean Lamont set to hang up his boots

Sean Lamont crosses the line during a four-year career with Northampton Saints EMN-170321-145240002

Lamont, who grew up in Bottesford, is the third-most capped player in Scotland’s history with 105, just four behind Chris Paterson, and made his final appearance last summer against Japan as a replacement.

“Unless they beg me to stay another year, I think I’m done,” the 36-year-old told BBC Sport.

“I have had a great run and enjoyed every single moment, but it is time to step aside.

“I love the sport, I love being in it and I love the guys I work with. But I just don’t have the gas anymore.

“I can’t get through those holes I see. I can still truck it up a distance, but there is definitely a blunting of the axe.”

The former Belvoir High and King Edward VII School pupil developed his game at Melton RFC and made his competitive debut for the under 12s.

But despite making his name as a winger, he spent most of his Melton career primarily at scrum-half.

He was part of one of the club’s most successful-ever Colts sides which won the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire Colts League, and earned him a call-up for the county.

Lamont went on to represent Melton at senior level, making his first team debut in the 1999/2000 season and still turned out for the club during the Christmas and Easter holidays while a student at Sheffield University.

His professional career began with Rotherham in 2000 before going on to join Glasgow. He also had spells with Northampton and Welsh outfit Scarlets before returning to Scotland with the Warriors in 2012.

The powerful winger made a try-scoring debut for Scotland against Australia in 2004 and was named his country’s player of the season in 2007.

He also appeared in three World Cups, and alongside his younger brother Rory, another Melton RFC old boy, helped his country reach the quarter-finals in 2007.