I CAME THROUGH SCHOOL OF HARDMAN KNOCKS
Zander’s rise through ranks as he reaches 50 caps
ZANDER FAGERSON hopes to mark his milestone half century of Scotland caps by helping Gregor Townsend’s men win the Test series decider against Argentina tonight.
It is an astonishing achievement by the 26-year-old tighthead prop – as it is a position in which players are not expected to reach their prime until they are nearing 30.
Having also toured South Africa with the Lions last summer, he is clearly ahead of the curve compared to almost all of his contemporaries in this most physically demanding role.
But Fagerson’s rise through the ranks has not all been plain sailing.
And one grim afternoon playing for Glasgow Hawks 2nd XV soon after leaving school is a stand-out memory.
On that day, his opposite number was Lindsay Ross, one of the great characters of Scottish amateur rugby, who was well into his 50s and sported a porn-star moustache as well as a 1980s style mullet.
Fagerson said: “It is still, to this day, the hardest game I’ve ever played.
“He bent me over backwards a few times in the scrum and I had no answer. Jimmy Sinclair – who was a proper old school coach at the club – gave it to me both barrels afterwards, saying it wasn’t good enough.”
At that stage, it was far from obvious that Fagerson would have any sort of future in professional rugby, never mind go on to play for his country 50 times.
He recalled: “I was fresh out of school. I didn’t get into the Institute of Sport. I didn’t get into the academy.
“So, I was at college in Glasgow, playing for the Hawks on a Saturday and doing some age-grade stuff during the week.
“And that match probably put a bit of doubt in my mind – probably more for my girlfriend, now wife, who had to watch it.
“But fortunately I can look back now and say it was a great learning experience.
“You learn to enjoy those experiences because you know you can get better. But hopefully it never happens again.”
Remarkably, Fagerson went on to make his Glasgow Warriors debut against Scarlets just a few months after his chastening experience.
That wasn’t straight forward either, with Fagerson recalling that he had to be replaced before half-time in his first start as a professional.
He recalled: “I’ve had a few lulls in my career and I think that Scarlets game especially was one of the lower points.
“But, like I said before, the tough games are when you learn the most.
“I’d definitely say that experience put the bit between my teeth and drove me to keep pushing on and get better to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“Touch wood, I’ve not been taken off before half-time since then, so it is going alright – but never say never.
“I still think I’ve got a lot of room to grow – I’m not the finished article.
“So, I’m looking forward to working hard over the next few years and I’m sure I can improve.”
Within 18 months, Fagerson was winning his first full-cap for Scotland, and now he is looking forward to joining the select few to have reached the half century.
And he is delighted to be doing so alongside fit again little brother Matt, who is at No.8 tonight and one of the form players in the Scotland team at the moment.
The older sibling added: “He’s been unbelievable this season, especially in that England win at the start of the Six Nations when he was awesome. His injury came at a bad time, but I am happy to see him enjoy his rugby again.
“I love playing with him and he spurs me on.”