Pick & twos
Zander joy at finally gettting a run in team
ZANDER FAGERSON reckons a double-header for Glasgow is just what he needs to sharpen the blade with Warriors.
The tight-head prop fully understands why he was rested for weeks after this summer’s Lions tour and the Autumn Nations Series.
After all, he plays the most physically demanding position on the park so needs to look after his body in order to avoid injury or burnout.
But, ahead of the Champions Cup campaign opener at La Rochelle on Sunday, Fagerson hopes it is the start of a run of matches he reckons is essential to hit top form.
He said: “It’s the first time I have been up for selection two weeks in a row for Glasgow.
“It is great being back with the boys and I want to play as many games as I can now.
“It was a tough Autumn Nations campaign because we played some good stuff as a team but from a personal point of view, it wasn’t amazing.
“I’m looking forward to working on a few things and getting back in the groove.
“As a prop, you can’t really recreate match fitness. I’ve got there – eventually – but I felt pretty rusty for the first couple of games, so that’s why I’m now looking to play as much as I can. When I play regularly I feel my game gets better and better.”
Sunday’s match is the first of a run of six huge games for Warriors in seven weeks.
They host Exeter Chiefs – including former team-mates Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray – the following Saturday, followed by back-to-back 1872 Cup matches against Edinburgh at Scotstoun on December 27 and at Murrayfield on January 2.
Fagerson is likely to be rested when Ospreys visit in the United Rugby Championship on January 8 before returning to action for Warriors’ final two Champions Cup pool matches against Exeter away on January 15 and La Rochelle at home seven days later.
It means he won’t have much time off with his young family during the Christmas period, albeit Fagerson wouldn’t have it any other way.
He said: “I really enjoy what I do, I enjoy playing in games and I really enjoy the pre-match feed with the old Christmas pudding and the roast turkey.
“It just means I need to work hard out there on the pitch so I don’t get too plump!”