Player in the Pod - Jim Hamilton

The Rugby Pod’s Ian Mundy interviews, Scottish legend and Saracens enforcer, Jim Hamilton ahead of the weekends action.

First of all backtracking a little bit to the Rugby World Cup, what did you think of Scotland’s performances throughout the competition?

Honestly, I don’t think Scotland played that well. When they were down at half time to Japan and the USA I was worried, but they came back well. They really struggled against the physicality of South Africa and Samoa, so did well to win the Samoa game. We’ve struggled against the more physical teams in the past and did there, and obviously the Australia match was a tough one to take.

Do you think Scotland deserved to win the Australia match?

Scotland deserved to win the match. They didn’t play hugely well and Australia scored some well worked team tries, but Scotland took their chances and scored a great charge down try. I’m not going to comment on whether the referee decision was right or wrong as I’ve not had the time to look back at it, but the referee’s got to go to the TMO. Whether it’s in the rules on not, it’s just common sense. It’s hard to take as Scotland have beaten Argentina four out of the last five times I think? They could have been in the final, but rugby is about luck sometimes.

So moving on to the Scotland vs Italy game this weekend, it was actually two years ago today that Scotland last won a Six Nations game, and you were actually playing in this very fixture against Italy in Rome. What do you remember of the game?

Yeah obviously although I hate to say it, it’s always been the wooden spoon decider in recent years, no disrespect to Italy at all as they’re a good team and tough to play against. Obviously I’ve got good memories from the day, it wasn’t the greatest win but the manner that we won the game with the Duncan Weir drop goal was amazing. Plus we actually caught the kickoff and got it out.

And what’s it actually like to go and play in Italy compared to the other away fixtures in the Six Nations? Is it much different?

Yeah obviously Rome’s a fantastic city to travel to, the atmosphere is incredible in the stadium. It’s always a tough match to play in as like I said it’s often billed as the wooden spoon decider and there’s a huge amount of pressure to go out there and win.

As I’ve mentioned it’s actually been two years since Scotland last won a Six Nations match, they’ve been close so many times and the team has improved over the last couple of years. What is it with the Six Nations?

It’s all about strength in depth. Scotland are doing a lot of good things now and there have been some really close Six Nations matches, for example a couple of years ago against France we were controlling the game then Huget scored an intercept try and they won the match. Scotland have got a great team but they haven’t got strength in depth yet. For example WP Nel is great but his replacement is Zander Fagerson, who was winning his first cap against England. A great one for the future but it doesn’t compare to the experience on the England bench. Also Scotland have struggled to close out games. In the Australia match we should have gone short with the lineout, instead they opted to throw to the back and lost the ball which showed a bit of inexperience. Scottish rugby is coming along really well and they’ve got a fantastic young team, but I think it’s a couple of years behind where the fans think they are.

If Scotland win in Italy can they kick on and beat the likes of France and Ireland?

Absolutely, this is the pivotal match in the Six Nations campaign. Ireland aren’t at full strength and this is their best chance against them in years, France will be more difficult as they have some real experience in that squad, players who know how to close out games and win.

Obviously this is the first Six Nations campaign since your retirement from international rugby before the World Cup, do you miss it or ever wish you hadn’t retired?

Honestly, not at all. It was definitely the right time and I’m loving just chilling and watching the games on TV. I’m enjoying the internationals as they’re actually giving me a chance to prove myself and get some game time with Sarries. A lot of players look back and regret time out with injuries but I’m enjoying spending more time with friends and family, plus I’m still close with the Scotland players and coaching set up. Playing test rugby for that long also takes its toll on your body, it was definitely the right time.

Speaking of Saracens, how are you finding your time with them? Obviously flying high top of the league at the moment with a good win last weekend against Gloucester, you must be in good spirits?

Yeah I’m loving my time with Sarries, it’s an absolutely fantastic club with a great set up and I’m loving it here and winning games. I took great pride in playing for Scotland but it was tough emotionally at times, putting so much in and not getting the results. It’s really rewarding playing with Sarries and getting the wins, and importantly having my family with me too. It was a tough time moving from Gloucester to Montpellier to Saracens so quickly, and it felt like a risk but it’s worked out really well.

Now it’s time for a few generic rugby questions! Starting with… Who is the best player you’ve played with?

Now you’ll probably disagree with me, but Martin Johnston. He’s a World Cup winning captain and a British and Irish Lions captain. I looked up to him when I was growing up and actually binding with him in a scrum was pretty special.

And the best player you’ve played against?

Manu Tuilagi. I grew up with him and remember him aged 7 drawing on the wall with crayons. It’s always unbelievable playing against him, especially in the last group game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in 2011 in Aukland. I can’t not mention New Zealand though, and Richie McCaw.

What about the worst room-mate you’ve had on tour?

Now I’ve really got to think about these… but definitely Euan Murray. Burping, farting, and walking around naked all the time whilst holding a bible! He was up 24/7 too as he was nursing a calf injury, and was up all night using an exercise machine for it.

Now John Barclay actually said that you were the biggest joker in Scotland squads he’s been involved with, who was the biggest joker during your time with Scotland?

Haha did he? Another tough one – Again Ewan Murray is absolutely hilarious, Dan Parks was a laugh though too…

Dan Parks?! Is he not quite serious?

Not at all, he’s an absolute gentleman!

You’ve played in two World Cups, many Six Nations Championships, for various clubs and for the Barbarians against the British Lions, but what is your single greatest rugby memory?

For me, winning the premiership with Saracens last year. It was the way we way we did it as well, coming fourth in the League, scraping past Northampton in the semi final, then hammering Bath in the final on a beautiful sunny day, with my family there. It was really special having my boys on the pitch after. Also walking out for my 50th cap at Murrayfield. Playing for Scotland was always such an honour but walking out then with my lad as mascot too, I never could have dreamed of that. I also loved the connection I had with the Murrayfield crowd.

Finally, what is your advice for young players wanting to turn pro?

I know it’s a bit cliqued, but it’s a lot of work. When you’re at that age, 16, 17, there are so many avenues you can take and it’s a lot to commit to. You also just need to really focus on basic skills. Catching, passing and tackling so they’re all 100%. Also in rugby a good career lasts eight years nowadays, so keep up the academic studies too.

Written by Iain Mundy on behalf of www.TheRugbyPod.com