ZANDER FAGERSON believes that remembering the reason why he started playing rugby in the first place has been key to him producing the best form of his career during the last two years.

The tight-head prop says that Scotland’s 2019 World Cup flop was a pivotal moment in his career because it pushed him towards reassessing his motivation for playing the game, and also helped him develop a healthier perspective on the trials and tribulations of professional sport. 

“I had put so much pressure on myself to play well on the world stage that I took away the fundamental thing of enjoying rugby – I wasn’t enjoying it,” he reflects.  

“I came back from injury and wanted to be back at my best when I hadn’t had enough time to get to that place, so it was about going back to the basics of: ‘Why did I start playing rugby?’ The answer, of course, was: ‘Because I enjoy it’.   

“So, I got back to that. I worked with a few people on the psychology side of things, and I feel like I am playing some good rugby now. 

“It just gave me a bit more clarity. I used to think that if I didn't play well I had let my family down, I had let my teammates down and stuff like that, so it's about not putting so much pressure on myself. 

“As a younger player, I might have said I had to get five carries, five tackles and they all had to be dominant, and I had to get four scrum penalties or whatever. If I didn't get that I'd be looking at it and thinking: ‘I'm not hitting my targets, I've not done what I set out to do’.  

“When all that pressure is taken off you, you can just go out and enjoy yourself. You're not always going to win, but the way I used to look at games, if I lost I would think I was the worst player in the world. It was peaks and troughs but now it's a lot more on an even keel.  

“It's not a wasted game so long as you learn from it. That has definitely been a massive growth for me. I'm not the finished article and I’ve got a lot of things to work on, but I'm enjoying my rugby and I'm in a good spot. 

“Growing up and maturing a bit changed that as well,” he added. “Being a dad now and having my family, I'm still a rugby player and it is really important, but it is not going to define who I am. At the end of the day, if it all stops, I'm still a human being, still Zander Fagerson, a dad, a parent, a brother, a son. That gave me a lot of prospective and made me enjoy my rugby more.” 

The 25-year-old’s form since the World Cup led to his selection for the recent British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, and while he was disappointed at not having a chance to face the world champion Springboks during the Test series, he believes the overall experience can be a launchpad for the next stage of his career. 

“I really enjoyed my experience with the Lions and learned a lot,” he said. “I think what it gave me was it made me really excited to get back here, get involved with Scotland and Glasgow, knowing how much potential we have – and what we might achieve.  

“Sometimes you put other countries on a pedestal and think they’re doing something different. Well, I think the group I’m involved with at Glasgow and with Scotland, there are players in there who could mix it up with the very best. 

“So, I came back really excited about some of the players we’ve got here and what we can achieve with belief. It’s an exciting time to be part of Scottish rugby.” 

Having been given an extended break following the Lions tour, Fagerson returned to action on Friday night when he played the first 54 of Glasgow Warriors’ defeat to Leinster and has now set his sights on Scotland’s opening Test of their four match Autumn schedule against Tonga on Saturday. 

“They’re big men so it’s going to be a battle up front for the forwards, in the set-piece and around the park,” he said. “They’ve got Ben Tameifuna and a few looseheads who play in France as well, so we’ll see what the team-sheet is and I’ll do my homework. It’s going to be a challenge and if you’re not on the money they’re going to punish you.” 

“Personally, I just need to keep doing what I’m doing,” he added. “I got picked by the Lions on what I did for Scotland, so it gave me confidence to believe that what I’m doing isn’t bad.  

“I’m trying to be better every day and, with the environment we have here, I can definitely do that, so I’m excited for the future.” 

Gregor Townsend has adjusted his Scotland training squad for the upcoming Autumn Test series, with Edinburgh centre Mark Bennett and Glasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown dropping out due to knee injuries. 

Two Edinburgh players have been added to the 42-strong group, with Dave Cherry coming in as a like-for-like replacement for Brown at hooker and Magnus Bradbury‘s recent form earning him a call-up in the back-row. 

Meanwhile, flanker Rory Darge wore a moon boot and did not train yesterday having picked up a knock during Glasgow’s defeat to Leinster on Friday night