Lamont keen to grab lifeline against indisciplined rivals

Scotland are desperate to extend their World Cup stay in New Zealand with victory over England in tomorrow’s do-or-die Pool B bout in Auckland – and Sean Lamont does not even wish to contemplate flying home.

To advance to the quarter-finals, Scotland must deny England a losing bonus point, which is awarded when a team finishes within seven points of the victor.

Centre Lamont said: “A win without an eight-point margin is a loss as far as we’re concerned.

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“We know the job we need to do, but it’s still a lot of pressure. None of the boys are ready to go home yet. None of them.”

There are many permutations in Pool B, but with Argentina, who beat Scotland 13-12 in agonising fashion last weekend, expected to beat Georgia on Sunday, Scotland must defeat England by their largest margin in 25 years to maintain their record of reaching at least the last eight at every World Cup.

Lamont added: “I honestly thought we were gone after the Argentina game. I didn’t realise we still had a mathematical chance of going through.

“Getting another lifeline is a massive relief and there’s no better game in the World Cup for a lifeline.”

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Many Scotland players have been asked if the prospect of eliminating England is an added incentive for the Eden Park clash.

Lamont added: “It’s about us going forward. I don’t really mind what happens to anybody else behind, provided we keep going that’s the No 1 focus.

“I know that England will be flying for this because they know the risks if they don’t perform, same as us.”

Lamont has been selected in a side showing six changes, with the Scarlets back shifted from wing to inside centre, the position he played when Scotland lost 22-16 to England at the RBS Six Nations in March.

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Scotland’s home record at Murrayfield has been strong in recent times, beating England in 2006 and 2008 and drawing in 2010.

Lamont added: “England are a great attacking threat. We know what they’re capable of.

“(But) away from Twickenham I think results favour us. Let’s hope it does again this weekend.”

The last time Scotland beat England by more than eight points was in 1986, while it is 40 years since they scored four tries or more against their oldest rivals.

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Scottish tries have been of short supply in recent times, but Chris Paterson’s unerring boot could be a factor on Saturday.

Lamont added: “It would make that eight-point margin a lot smaller scoring a try and getting the conversion, but nine points is three penalties and England give away a lot of penalties.

“There’s no reason why we can’t get a few points against them.

“We need to get those points and, as well for us, it’s about going out there and playing. We’ve got to score points.”