Waratahs prop Tom Lambert is keen to extend his stay in Sydney but admits he still hasnโt fully closed the door on representing Scotland.
Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis last week re-signed with Rugby Australia after rejecting an offer from Ireland. The tug-of-war for De Lutiis shone a spotlight on the inequities ofย rugbyโs transfer system and the flaws of the grandparent rule, which allows nations to lure players they had no hand in developing.
Lambert is eligible to represent Scotland through a grandparent and is in the final year of his contract with the Waratahs, with no new deal currently signed.
Lambert remains of interest to the Scots after beginning his professional career at Glasgow Warriors and representing the country five times at Under-20s level in 2020, before returning to the Waratahs two years later.
Lambert has started all seven games for the Waratahs this season and has emerged as one of the standout Australian loosehead props in Super Rugby.
Given Brumbies veteran James Slipperโs retirement from Tests last year ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Lambert and Reds loosehead Aidan Ross are well-placed to provide depth in the position for the Wallabies.
โIโd probably be lying if I said itโs something [representing Scotland] that didnโt cross my mind at all because obviously opportunities arise and maybe opportunities for me werenโt really coming up here [at the Waratahs],โ Lambert said.
โSo I think itโs not something you can completely close the door on, but in terms of my mindset, the Tahs is where I want to be and thatโs what my focus is going to be going forward. With international stuff and the Wallabies, I guess that will just take care of itself. If the opportunity was to arise there, Iโd be very happy.โ
Lambert represented Australia A in 2023 and 2024 and has shown strong form this season in the absence of Angus Bell, who is in the middle of a sabbatical season in Belfast with Ulster.
Lambert knows Bellโs return to Sydney will present a challenge after getting used to wearing the Waratahs No.1 jersey this season.
โI know itโs a challenge with Belly coming back next year, but thatโs one that Iโm willing to take on and one that I think is only going to help me, to be honest,โ Lambert said.
โBeing able to train every day with someone thatโs probably one of the best in the world in the position, I think thatโs only going to benefit me. Hopefully it can benefit him as well, and the team.โ
After four seasons as Bellโs deputy, Lambert remains determined not to lose sight of the chance in front of him โ initially for the Waratahs, and potentially also with the Wallabies.
โBefore the season, there was probably a little bit of feeling like I needed to prove myself with Belly going,โ Lambert said.
โI felt like I didnโt get heaps of time last year and just with the way the competition goes, my time on the field was limited.
โI just want to take the opportunity with both hands when I can get on the field. Itโs the same with all the boys that are getting more minutes this year … weโre not going to let that chance go missing.โ
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