SCRUM Magazine – September 2019

rested and revitalised Tommy
Seymour admitted that he
dreams about one day breaking
Scotland’s all-time try-scoring record
The Glasgow Warriors wing enjoyed time
off after Scotland’s warm weather training
camp in Portugal, and on his return to the
national team camp that he was feeling
fresh after the break.
“It was nice to have a couple of weeks
to unwind after the first block of training
which was really tough. I feel really good,
I’m really happy,” the 31-year-old wing
said.
“Obviously with Glasgow, we put in a
lot of really good performances towards
that latter third [of the season], and I was
really happy to be a part of that, [and] I
felt the best I’ve felt.
“I would never have chosen to get that
[rib] injury [against Wales] as I did, but
that gave me time to get other niggles
and bits and pieces fixed with my body,
and freshen up, so it was probably good
for me.
“I’m feeling really good now.”
This will no doubt be music to this
coaches’ ears as the Glasgow Warrior has
been one of Scotland’s deadliest finishers
in recent years, with the winger’s 19
tries in his 50 international appearances
placing him just six shy of breaking
Scotland’s all-time try-scoring record.
Asked about whether individual
accolades interest him, Seymour was
coy in his response but admitted that it is
something he “dreams” of achieving.
“I wouldn’t say I focus on it, but it would
be really nice to have,” he said.

“I’m not going say that I’ve never thought
about it or that it’ll never be a target for
me because it’s something that you could
only dream of doing.
“It’s something that I’d love to push for,
but right now the focus has to be on
putting in training performances that get
me in the right condition; that get me
selected for some warm-up games,

and hopefully past that, the final

World Cup squad.

“The competition is incredibly fierce in

the back three right now, but if I find

myself on the park then obviously I’d love

to be scoring tries.”

Someone who will be hoping to be

involved in the back-three shake-up is

Seymour’s club colleague, Kyle Steyn, the

South African-born utility back who has

been included in the national squad for

the first time.

Steyn, who qualifies for Scotland through

his Bearsden-born mum, won praise from

Seymour: “He’s been really good.

“Having played with him at Glasgow, I

know what he brings to the park. He’s a

really talented guy, he’s really calm on

the field which I like - he’s got a good

head and he doesn’t get flustered - and

he brings a lot to the game both in

defence and attack with regards to

his physicality. His reading of the

game is really good as well, and with

7s experience, he’s got an engine

to match it,

“He’s come in and done exactly as I

thought he’d do,” he continued.

“He’s trained really well, fitted in, asked

questions trying to get to grips with all

the new stuff. He’s acquitted himself

really well, and he’s fitted in seamlessly.”

The Scotland squad’s preparations are

set to intensify further as the tournament

draws ever closer, but Seymour insists

the squad are not feeling the pressure

just yet.

“There will be a shift in mindset towards

game preparation, and as we progress,

the intensity will increase, but the tension

isn’t there,” he revealed.

“It’s a really positive mood in the camp.

We’re in a really good spot.”

“I’m not going

say that I’ve never

thought about it

or that it’ll never

be a target for

me because it’s

something that

you could only

dream of doing"

The British and Irish Lion

has enjoyed time off this

summer and is feeling

fresh ahead of the Rugby

World Cup

A

RUGBY WORLD CUP - SCOTLAND PREVIEW

ISSUE 116 2019 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • 83