ZANDER Fagerson has admitted to being surprised by the progress he has made this season - progress that has just earned him a new three-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.
The 20-year-old tighthead prop has established himself as a regular in the squad this season, and also won the first of what is likely to be many international caps in the Calcutta Cup match in February. But, while he has made rapid improvements in a short time, Fagerson believes that he still has a long way to go before he is close to being the finished article in his position.
“It’s not really sunk in yet,” he said yesterday after agreeing his new deal. “I think that in the summer I may well look back and say ‘That was a pretty good year’.
“I’m enjoying my time now and enjoying my rugby. I was chuffed last year just to be involved with Glasgow, so to stay here for longer and get as much game time as I have has been surreal.”
Fagerson’s first contract with Glasgow, signed in March 2015, was due to run until May 2017. His new deal runs until May 2019, and he explained that he had no hesitation in agreeing to extend his stay at Scotstoun. “I chose to sign for three years with Glasgow Warriors because I love the club and I feel we're going places,” he said. “The club and Gregor [Townsend, the head coach] have showed a lot of faith in me and I want to repay them for that.”
“I love being at this club. They’re a great bunch of boys, and coaches, and you get loads of opportunities, so I grasped it with both hands.”
Fagerson just has that one solitary cap so far, and it is fair to say that he is not yet ready to play a regular part in the Scotland team. But he has shown himself to be a quick learner as well as a hard worker, and if he keeps up his progress it will not be long before he comes close to being a fixture in Vern Cotter’s squad. And, perhaps just as importantly as his work ethic, he has a self-critical approach that appears sure to help him maintain his improvement over the coming years.
“I don't think you ever really break it at tighthead,” he added. “You’re always striving to get better. If you don't have that mentality, you probably shouldn’t be playing, because it means you’ve lost it. I’m nowhere near the finished article - just trying to work as hard as I can to get there.”
Fagerson made his Warriors debut last season and had eight appearances in all, whereas this season he is already on 21. “It’s fantastic news for the club that Zander will be staying in Glasgow for at least another three years,” Townsend said.
“He has worked really hard since making his debut for the club 18 months ago and getting capped for Scotland this year was another big milestone for him. It’s important that we continue to retain the players who we feel can help the club improve and we look forward to Zander having a big role to play in the future.”
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