Tough debrief after defeat in capital key to Warriors win
● Fagerson says hard questions were asked after Murrayfield loss
Glasgow prop Zander Fagerson revealed that a brutal review of their defeat in the first 1872 Cup match bore fruit as they levelled the series with a 17-0 success.
The Warriors players endured a fitful Christmas period as they prepared to return to the office and pull apart a desperately disappointing showing at BT Murrayfield as they allowed a 14-man Edinburgh side to fight back and pip them 18-17.
Fagerson admitted the fall-out wasn’t pretty but had the desired effect as Dave Rennie, pictured, saw his men hit back at Scotstoun.
“Things didn’t click. That wasn’t us [in the first 1872 Cup game]. We had a pretty rough debrief on Thursday after four days off for Christmas,” explained the 21-year-old.
“We had a good hard look at ourselves and asked a few hard questions about where we want to be and who we want to be and how we want to play. Saturday was a start on the road. It will benefit us in the long run.
“It wasn’t an honest session, it was a review. We got told we were pretty sh** in all areas. It wasn’t fun but it needed to be done and in the long run it will benefit us. It showed us we can’t just rock up and start throwing the ball away. But we’re building and we can only get better. We’re happy heading into the new year.”
On a day when the flair players on either side cancelled each other out, there was a rare man-of-the-match award for the unglamorous role of tighthead, which came as an unexpected treat for the youngster.
“I don’t know who picked it, but fair play,” said Fagerson with a smile. “I was very surprised. But it’s nice and I’ll take it.”
With WP Nel injured and Simon Berghan on a six-week suspension, Fagerson is a precious commodity in Scottish rugby right now as that Six Nations opener in Wales looms ever larger but doesn’t know if he will have the cotton wool forced on him for this weekend’s trip to Italy when they face Zebre. “Have you been speaking to Dave?” asked Fagerson when it was suggested he might be rested this week.
“I don’t know. If he tells me I’m not playing then I’m not playing, but I feel my form has been alright. I’ve not been 100 per cent for a few of the games but I was pretty happy today. My niggles were away so I was pretty chuffed. I got my hands on the ball so felt it went okay.”
After Zebre it will be back to Europe for games against Leinster and Exeter which Fagerson bristles at when it is suggested they are dead rubbers following four losses in the Champions Cup.
“We’ve got pride to play for. We’ll never lie down,” he insisted. “I guess a few guys will get opportunities, but 3 Zander Fagerson, who picked up the man-of-thematch award, attempts to make a break for Glasgow Warriors during their 17-0 win over Edinburgh at Scotstoun. Far right, Edinburgh’s Phil Burleigh is tackled on a frustrating day for the capital side.