Sean and Rory Lamont hope Saturday’s first autumn international against Fiji serves as a reminder that there is more than one set of brothers on the Scotland scene.
The pair were this week both handed recalls for Andy Robinson’s first game in charge and are desperate to kick-start Test careers that have been seriously curtailed by injury.
Their most recent spell on the sidelines co-incided with the emergence of the Evans brothers, who quickly assumed the Lamonts’ mantle within the squad.
But neither were included in the 22 for Saturday’s game, Max because of injury, with Thom more of a surprise omission.
For Sean Lamont, 28, the news of his his own inclusion ahead of Thom came as something of a shock.
“To get the call with the amount of talent that Scotland has in the back three, (I’m) very surprised, but very happy,” said the winger.
Rarely do brothers agree on anything, however, as younger sibling Rory was quick to demonstrate.
“I wasn’t surprised,” said the full-back. “I was hopeful that we’d both get picked.
“Having seen Sean play, I knew he was back to his best rugby and I knew he had a good chance.
“I felt that I had a good chance as well of being in the mix.”
Head coach Robinson made a point of singling out both Lamonts for praise when announcing his team, with both having joined new clubs this summer.
Sean, who moved to Scarlets, said: “Obviously, you’re a bit further away from the selectors’ eyes.
“But if you’re doing what you’re meant to do and you’re playing well then there’s no reason why the selectors shouldn’t be looking at you.”
Rory moved even further afield to Toulon, joining the Guinness Premiership exodus to France.
“I’ve gone out there for a different life experience,” said Rory, whose career has been plagued by injury.
“I know that your career can be cut at any point and I just wanted to take the opportunity to experience France while it was there for me.”
One of Rory’s new team-mates is Jonny Wilkinson, whom he has dubbed “Sir Jonny”.
He added: “Just seeing the way he conducts himself, you can learn a lot from him.”
Like Rory, Wilkinson’s career has been blighted by injury.
But even he must wince at a list that includes a fractured cheekbone (twice), a broken jaw, severe concussion, medial ligament damage, shin splints, a hernia, and – most recently – torn ankle ligaments.
“I’ve had eight operations in six years, so I’m pretty used to coming back from that feeling of rehab,” Rory said.
“I’m back playing and just looking forward to being back on the pitch again – it’s been too long.”
Describing his emotions as each injury struck, he added: “It’s devastating. You think it can’t be another injury.
“But you quickly put it behind you and just focus on what you have to do to get back to your best.”
Sean suffered his own serious knee injury shortly after the 2007 World Cup, the last time the Lamonts played together in the same Scotland team.
He returned for this year’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales but was axed following the heavy defeat and did not play another minute of the tournament.
