Size doesn’t matter to he’ll play wherever he Matt can
Matt Fagerson isn’t a small man by any manner of means.
The Scotland back- row stands six foot one and is just a wet pair of socks off 17- and- a- half stone – not the kind of fella you want thundering towards you on a rugby pitch.
But with other teams fielding behemoths at No. 8, Fagerson’s relative lack of stature has been a topic of debate throughout the 22-year-old’s fledgling career.
No wonder he bristles – goodnaturedly – when once again he’s described as “not the biggest No. 8”.
“What are you trying to say?” said the man set to add to his eight caps when Scotland play their final game of the Autumn Nations Cup next weekend.
“Teams all around the world tend to play a different style of rugby. You’ve got Duane Vermeulen who’s a massive unit and weighs about 120kg, but then you’ve got blokes like Ardie Savea and CJ Stander who aren’t the same size.
“So I try to bring the attributes that I have to No. 8 and don’t change who I am as a player, just because it doesn’t fit the mould.
“I like to think being able to play across the back row and having that versatility is a strength. To be honest I’m happy just to be on the park whether it’s at six, seven or eight.”
Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson’s continued good form has seen them cement their claims to those first two jerseys. But there has been a revolving door at the base of the scrum.
And Fagerson knows he has to reach the same heights as his compatriots to join them in a settled back-row trio.
“They’ve both been playing incredibly well, Jamie especially throughout the Six Nations,” nodded the younger brother of Scotland tighthead prop Zander.
“And we all know what ‘Mish’ can do. He’s been a stand-out for Scotland for so many years now.
“Playing with guys like them, you really have to raise your game to try to get up to their level. It’s good to have that competition, even from the guys who haven’t been playing.
“They are all quality players so you have to push yourself in training and in matches to stay in the team.”
So far this autumn, Matt,
Cornell du Preez, Nick Haining and Blade Thomson have played No. 8 – with Magnus Bradbury waiting in the wings – and Fagerson admitted: “Everyone is wanting to play and there is that level of competition.
“So everyone is on their toes. We’re all pushing each other in training. Everyone wants to get that place and it’s about taking that opportunity when you get it.
“It’s difficult because we are all good friends. There’s no
animosity there and that’s an awesome thing to say when it’s a group of international No. 8s.
“We’ve all got our own strengths and whoever is playing at the weekend has to bring their own game and express themselves.
“But obviously you want to play for your country so if I can hold that jersey for as long as I can then that’s brilliant. I have to play the best I can when I get that chance.”
Fagerson feels he did just that
last time out. “I was massively pleased to get 80 minutes under my belt against France,” he said.
“That game was probably one of the first games I’ve played in a Scotland shirt where I’ve actually got to express myself and bring what I do for Glasgow every week.
“It was awesome getting that opportunity and I have just got to do it again when selected, whether it be next weekend or in the Six Nations. I just want to continue that form and kick on.”