Fagerson is back and keen to fit the bill for Italian job

MATT Fagerson is determined to make up for lost time with Scotland — and prove he is the final piece in Gregor Townsend’s back-row puzzle.

The head coach has two of the best flankers in the Six Nations in Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie but is still undecided over who to play in the middle of them against Italy on Saturday.

Edinburgh’s Nick Haining made his Scotland debut at eight in the Six Nations opening-day defeat to Ireland but was dropped to the bench against England. Cornell du Preez was the replacement eight in Dublin but was then dropped completely for the England game.

Magnus Bradbury was given the starting jersey in the 13-6 Calcutta Cup defeat but struggled to show his worth.

Now Fagerson has been called up after he impressed Townsend playing for Glasgow Warriors in their Pro14 victory over Zebre at the weekend.

The 21-year-old has hardly played any rugby over the past two months, with a three-week ban following a red card for a high tackle against La Rochelle in Europe followed by a broken rib in his comeback match against Exeter Chiefs. But now he insists he is raring to go.

‘Gregor called me when the Scotland squad for the Six Nations was first announced — I’d just broken my rib and he said he was gutted for me,’ said Fagerson ‘He told me to get as fit as I could and we’d see what happened when I was back playing.

‘It was nice that he texted me after the Glasgow game on Saturday night and said that I’d be in the Scotland squad.

‘It had been a frustrating time for me up until then as I had a three-week ban and then a month off with the rib injury, so

I hadn’t played rugby in over seven weeks. It was quite weird being off for that long but I had a lot to work on.

‘I sat down with the strength and conditioning guys and planned out what I wanted to achieve. We targeted the Zebre game, so it was pleasing being able to come back that quickly.

‘It was just great to get a rugby ball in my hands and be able to put myself forward.

‘I had no idea that I was going to be taken off after 55 minutes against Zebre. I was planning on the whole game until I got hooked, but I was just happy to get any amount of time.

‘It was just good being out there and getting through in one piece.’

No doubt Townsend would have asked Warriors head coach Dave Rennie to take off Fagerson early if possible, with a view to him being involved against Italy.

‘I’m happy with the way I played at the weekend for Glasgow when I got a lot of contact in,’ continued Fagerson, who joins brother Zander in the squad. ‘If I’m asked to do a job to start (for Scotland), I’ll do it to the best of my ability.

‘There’s a much better vibe in camp and everyone’s really positive. There might have been two Six Nations losses but they were really close and the boys played really well. It’s not like anyone’s heads are down.

‘Everyone’s just focused on Italy and not looking back to what happened over the last two weeks. Everyone is getting on well with each other and really pushing forward to the same goal, which is getting a good result at the weekend.’