FIGHTING FIT FOR FRANCO
Fagerson drops weight to impress new coach
ON tHe back of a dispiriting defeat to Benetton in last weekend’s opening United Rugby Championship fixture, Glasgow Warriors are already facing criticism despite the new season still being in its infancy.
Yet, whatever their shortcomings may be, a lack of fitness certainly won’t be an issue as they adjust to life under new head coach Franco Smith.
that’s the view according to Zander Fagerson, the Scotland prop who has opened up on the club’s disastrous conclusion to last season. Glasgow finished last term with five successive defeats, climaxing in a 76-14 thrashing at Leinster which ultimately cost Danny Wilson his job.
Fagerson has now admitted that the squad simply weren’t fit enough, something which they openly acknowledged and strived to work on over the summer.
the Scotland prop has shifted a bit of timber himself and is looking leaner and sharper as he aims to recapture his best form.
‘We had a few tough conversations at the end of last season,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘We weren’t fit enough, which we’ve addressed. We’ve got that sorted and we are a completely different team now in that regard.
‘Last season was a really long season and, to be honest, as a team we weren’t fit enough. We spoke about that and put things in place to make sure that was addressed.
‘Pre-season was really tough. the boys came back in good nick and built on those solid foundations they put in place in the off-season and we’re in a lot better place this season compared to last. We’re a team that wants to throw the ball around, that’s in
Glasgow’s DNA. If we’re fitter we can do that.’
After touring South Africa with the British and Irish Lions last summer, Fagerson’s form dipped for both club and country last season.
He admits to suffering a hangover after a gruelling tour against the Springboks. the return to club duty with Glasgow offered no sanctuary as they toiled towards the end of the campaign.
Fagerson wouldn’t put a number on what his optimum weight should be. Instead, he feels it’s more a mental issue if he feels sharp and agile.
‘I think I had a bit of a hangover from the (Lions) tour last year and didn’t really get much of a pre-season at the start of last season,’ he said.
‘As the season went on, I was picking up little niggles here and there and didn’t really feel like bouncing around as I used to.
‘It could be age, it could be weight, so I fixed the one I could fix and I feel much better for it. I’ve dropped a few kilos.
‘I’m hoping it’s going to be a big year, so I’m doing all I can to be in the best shape possible. I enjoyed my off-season but there were a few things to tick over. I’m really feeling the benefit of that now.
‘How have I done it? Portion control. I’m a prop, what can I say? It’s just life choices, little things. When I work hard, I can reward myself. But until I’ve worked hard, it can’t be every day.
‘I left school probably at my heaviest and I’ve played at different weights every season. the buffets at Strathallan definitely had something to do with that. But I just feel the way the game is going, with more collisions, more rucks and more carries — I like to get my hands on ball, that it is something I pride myself on.
‘So if I can shift a few kilograms, it means I can get more carries, more tackles and just bounce around the park a bit more to make my life a lot easier.
‘I felt a bit sluggish at the end of last season with a few niggles, so I took it upon myself and so far it feels like it is turning out all right.I’ll have to keep off the turkey over Christmas as much as possible.’
Ahead of tomorrow night’s match at home to Cardiff, Fagerson insists that new head coach Smith is up there as one of the toughest taskmasters he’s encountered in rugby.
He added: ‘He knows exactly what he wants and he makes sure he lets you know about it, so, if it’s not 100 per cent what he likes, he’ll give you both barrels.’