Tales from the Members’ Bar

No. 1 Sean Lamont

Another Wednesday, another lunchtime, another bar. It will come as no surprise to acquaintances of your correspondent that he should find himself staring at a row of optics, a forest of beer pumps and a couple or three of those refrigerators that hold fashionable bottled drinks. However, this was Saints’ media day so alcohol was not on the menu.

The thing that comes across when you sit down for a chat with Scotland’s player of the year [Och! That’s last year. We need to concentrate on getting ourselves back into the Premiership] is what a thoroughly nice guy he is. Softly spoken and amiable, he is pleased to be back after a four-month long stint with his country’s World Cup squad. The physiques that many admired about the Scots were achieved via some gruelling conditioning almost as soon as the squad had assembled. When Scotland’s star winger admits difficulty in walking by the fourth day, you can gauge the hard work and dedication it takes to be an international footballer.

On his return to Northampton Monty was surprised that his old sparring partner had decided to move on. As we just about all concur, it was Ben’s decision. If he was not in the frame of mind to give of his best, he was right to do what he felt served his and the club’s interests best.

If it means that he may get more of a chance in his favoured left wing position, the irony of Paul Diggin and Chris Ashton running in tries for fun on the other side drew the wriest of smiles. In the season past Sean patrolled that beat and scarcely received a pass worth the name. Scoring opportunities were few and far between.

He is full of praise for the way Ashton, in particular, is adapting to life in his new environment. If the skills he displays on the training field are anything of an indicator, there is a lot more to come from that young gentleman. Even if he still displays displeasure at having the ball ripped from his grasp when held in a tackle.

Monty has not been given any specific responsibility in the mentoring department. He remembers the value and how much he enjoyed being involved with the senior players when he was learning the ropes in Rotherham’s academy. Being involved in sessions with bigger, quicker players with more time-honed skills can only be of benefit to the likes of Dave Smith and Grant Anderson.

One major difference from last season is the strength and depth of the squad. Competition for places is keen. Like everyone else, Monty is keen to be involved in each and every game. With only two 20-minute replacement appearances to his name so far, he is fresh and raring to go.

If there is anything that could be described as the motto for Jim Mallinder’s selection policy, perhaps that is it: “Fresh and raring to go.”