Waratahs prop Tom Lambert is keen to extend his stay in Sydney but admits he still hasn’t 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 of rugby’s 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 Slipper’s 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.
“I’d probably be lying if I said it’s something [representing Scotland] that didn’t cross my mind at all because obviously opportunities arise and maybe opportunities for me weren’t really coming up here [at the Waratahs],” Lambert said.
“So I think it’s not something you can completely close the door on, but in terms of my mindset, the Tahs is where I want to be and that’s 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, I’d be very happy.”
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 Bell’s return to Sydney will present a challenge after getting used to wearing the Waratahs No.1 jersey this season.
“I know it’s a challenge with Belly coming back next year, but that’s one that I’m willing to take on and one that I think is only going to help me, to be honest,” Lambert said.
“Being able to train every day with someone that’s probably one of the best in the world in the position, I think that’s only going to benefit me. Hopefully it can benefit him as well, and the team.”
After four seasons as Bell’s deputy, Lambert remains determined not to lose sight of the chance in front of him – initially for the Waratahs, and potentially also with the Wallabies.
“Before the season, there was probably a little bit of feeling like I needed to prove myself with Belly going,” Lambert said.
“I felt like I didn’t get heaps of time last year and just with the way the competition goes, my time on the field was limited.
“I just want to take the opportunity with both hands when I can get on the field. It’s the same with all the boys that are getting more minutes this year … we’re not going to let that chance go missing.”
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