JIM HAMILTON has confirmed he's ready to unleash six months of pent-up rugby frustration in Edinburgh's cause when the new season gets underway.
A summer signing from Leicester Tigers, Hamilton hasn't played since suffering ankle damage when gaining his 16th Scotland cap against Ireland in Dublin last February.
Now recovered from the leg knock, but rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, the
25-year-old says there will be lost time to make up, hopefully when Edinburgh kick off their campaign with a Murrayfield friendly against London Wasps on August 23.
"I'll start with a clean sheet fitness-wise, so there can be no excuses," says the 6ft 8in second row. "With law changes due to be implemented, too, everyone in my position will have to be quicker on their feet."
Changes include teams being allowed to handle in rucks and collapse mauls as well as being able to take quick throw-ins and free kicks. Hamilton, speaking at the launch of a sponsorship deal between Scottish Rugby and hotel partner Novotel, said: "There'll be no time to lie on the floor and it will be exciting to watch; from a player's point of view, we have to adapt.
"This has been the longest break of my career – I'm not normally injury-prone – and I can't wait to get going, especially after travelling to watch Edinburgh post an injury-time win at Ospreys in the Magners League towards the end of last season.
"The style of play, with quick off-loading from the tackle was something I saw from the other side when I played for Leicester against Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup last year and now I'm looking to fit in."
The full article contains 295 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
