FAGERSON IS SCALING THE HEIGHTS
Rejected as a teenager, prop Zander almost gave up rugby to focus on mountain biking... now he’s set to win his 50th cap for Scotland
ZANDER Fagerson admits it’s not really sunk in yet that he will be winning his 50th cap when he takes to the field for today’s crucial Test decider against Argentina.
And although his first priority is helping Gregor Townsend’s men end their South American tour on a high, the 26-year-old prop forward also hopes that his landmark achievement in Santiago Del Estero will inspire other young players never to give up on chasing their dreams.
Overlooked at the start of his career, Glasgow Warriors star
Fagerson has come a long way from the day he left Strathallan school as a teenager and failed to win a place at the Scotland Institute of Sport or in the SRU Rugby Academy system.
That early rejection made him question whether he had a future in the game he loved. Yet his refusal to accept his fate has seen him become one of Townsend’s first picks, culminating in last year’s appearances for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
Hard to believe now that he once considered concentrating on mountain biking instead — he was Scotland Under-15s champion — while watching a lot of his friends take their first steps on the rugby ladder without him.
‘I was fresh out of school and didn’t get Institute of Sport, I didn’t get academy and that put a bit of doubt in my mind,’ recalled Fagerson yesterday. ‘I was thinking of going on a gap year and also doing more mountain-bike training.
‘When I told mum and dad I wanted to be a rugby player they weren’t really chuffed. They said: “You can’t do that professionally”. What ended up happening was I went to college in Glasgow instead and played for Glasgow Hawks.’
Playing amateur rugby proved to be the making of the man. ‘I remember playing for Glasgow Hawks seconds against Stewart’s Melville seconds as a teenager, and a guy called Lindsay Ross really outplayed me. After the game, I had a good heart-to-heart with my coach, Jimmy Sinclair. He gave it to me with both barrels and said that wasn’t good enough.’
Fagerson took the advice on board and, a year later, after making improvements in his game, was finally given an SRU Academy contract linked to Glasgow Warriors. ‘My time with Hawks was a great learning experience,’ he explained. ‘I enjoyed those experiences as I knew I could get better.
‘I still remember to this day when I got the call to say I had my academy contract. We were in Marks & Spencer’s. Later Ian Monaghan, my academy manager, came to speak to my mum and dad and she gave him an absolute grilling. “You make sure you look after him”, she said. I told her: “Mum, it will work itself out”.
‘Luckily it has, or I would be getting an absolute hiding from her. I would say to those young players starting out to enjoy your rugby, never give up and, if you have a goal, keep working hard towards it.’
Fagerson, who made his Scotland debut against England in the 2016 Six Nations, can hardly believe that his 50th appearance for his country — in what will be a pulsating Estadio Unico Madre de Cuidades — has come around so fast. Making the occasion even more special is the fact brother Matt will be playing alongside.
‘Playing for Scotland was a dream of mine as a young boy, so to play once was a dream come true and it’s not really sunk in yet that I am playing my 50th,’ said Fagerson.
‘It has a lot to do with my family, and all those late nights being driven to and from training and games all over Scotland, and the UK by my mum and dad.
‘It’s a huge milestone in my life and one I am very proud of. I don’t need it as any extra motivation to win the series. I’m just going to focus on my game and bring what I can bring. Hopefully, I can look back and remember it fondly.
‘What makes it extra special is that I’m playing in the same team as my brother, who’s been unbelievable this season. I am happy to see him enjoy his rugby again on this tour after his injury. I love playing with him and he spurs me on.’
Townsend praised Fagerson for his strength of character, which will be vital against Michael Cheika’s Pumas in today’s nailbiter of a conclusion to the series after a victory apiece.
And he believes there is ‘much more to come’ from the tighthead prop who starts in a front row that includes Ewan Ashman at hooker and Rory Sutherland at loosehead.
‘Zander has had some moments that didn’t go so well for him,’ said the Scotland head coach. ‘I remember Scarlets away with Glasgow. It’s always a difficult decision you have to make to take someone off before half-time, but that did happen to Zander on one of his first outings for Glasgow.
‘You often learn more in those occasions than when you are at your best. Zander has always been driven to improve, he cares a lot about this team and he’s got extra motivation every time he plays with his brother Matt. They are bringing the best out of each other just now.
‘At the young age of 26 years old, he will have 50 caps. He’s been consistent for us for the last number of years.
‘He brings so much more than scrummaging. Last Saturday in the second Test was one of his best scrummaging performances of the season, but his work in contact is world class.
‘His ball carrying, too, he’s a real handful for defences. There is much more to come from Zander, given his age and experience.’