Rory Lamont forced to retire from rugby

Scotland international Rory Lamont has been forced to retire from professional rugby through injury.

The 30-year-old has been unable to recover from the broken leg he suffered while playing in an Six Nations encounter with France in February last year.

In a statement released by his club, Glasgow, Lamont said: “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.”

The back-three player underwent surgery soon after suffering the fractured fibula when he landed awkwardly under pressure as he contested a restart. But the bone did not heal as hoped 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 10th.

That proved to be his final professional game though and he has quit seven days after his team-mates sealed a RaboDirect Pro12 play-off spot.

Lamont added: “Despite a tough time personally it’s been a privilege to see the boys do so well and make such good progress this season.

“It’s fantastic to have been at the club during this exciting time and I wish them all the very best for the remaining games this season.”

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend said: "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 scored 19 tries in 55 games during his first spell at Glasgow from 2004 until 2007 before moving to Sale, and then returned to Glasgow from France in December 2011.

Lamont, whose brother Sean plays for Glasgow, made his Scotland debut against Wales in 2005 and won 29 caps for his country.