Scotland full-back Rory Lamont is confident he will be able to deal with Argentina’s expected high-ball tactics in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final in Paris.
The new Sale recruit struggled to cope with a number of up-and-unders booted by the Italians in Scotland’s narrow Pool C eliminator win in St Etienne last weekend.
From one of them, the Azzurri scored a controversial try – Lamont appeared to be taken out in mid-air by Italy’s Mirco Bergamasco in the lead-up – but Chris Paterson’s dead-eye kicking eventually earned the Scots victory.
The Pumas have used the high ball to good effect so far this tournament and Lamont is set to be their target this weekend, but the 24-year-old is not concerned.
"The high ball is one of the strongest points of my game," said the Perth-born back.
"That’s why I was furious with the referee on that try. Bergamasco completely disregarded the ball, jumped at me and took me out.
"Things like that shouldn’t happen. It’s a big game and that could have knocked us out of the World Cup.
"I was furious about that but this weekend is an opportunity to reaffirm myself in that department.
"I am expecting a lot of high balls, and it is something I am comfortable with and something I relish."
Lamont came off after 25 minutes of the Italy match after landing awkwardly on his head following a clash with Andrea Masi.
He suffered blurred vision and was in hospital at the time the final whistle blew at the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard to secure Scotland’s 18-16 victory.
He has recovered fully and was selected in an unchanged team named by Frank Hadden on Friday.
