Lamont wary of England (From The Northern Echo)

Lamont wary of England

11:13am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Rugby News

SEAN LAMONT is wary of Scotland shedding their underdog tag ahead of tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations opener with a new-look England.

In repeating an oft-heard phrase from the camp this week, the Scarlets back believes it is time for the Scotland team to deliver in the tournament.

However, Lamont talked up the calibre of the England team, led by one-cap skipper Chris Robshaw, overseen by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster and who are unfancied in some quarters.

The uncapped Phil Dowson has been named at number eight, while experienced flyhalf Charlie Hodgson will line up inside Saracens teammates Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt, who will both be making their debuts in midfield opposite Lamont in the Calcutta Cup clash.

Lamont, who has 60 caps and is set to line up at inside centre on Saturday, said: “We’ve got to be extra careful, because they are the unknown at this stage.

“We cannot be complacent, we’ve got to be on our guard, we’ve got to be aware of what they bring.

“They’ve got a very dangerous back three, a new midfield – but those guys play together week in, week out for Sarries.

“We’ve got a good set of boys here, with some good experience and young guys coming through, but we’re not a team who can just rock up on the day.

“We’ve just got to enforce our game – out physical them, out work them, low errors, low penalties and that’s how we’ve got to do it.”