Zander Fagerson has renewed belief after Lions experience
After being part of the recent British and Irish Lions’ tour to South Africa, Scotland front-row Zander Fagerson is back in the Scotland camp with renewed belief.
The 25-year-old feels that added experience in Scotland’s squad has been boosted by fresh ideas and youthful enthusiasm ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Improved culture
And Fagerson believes the improvement in the team’s culture will benefit new arrivals, who will be able to add value and express themselves immediately.
On his summer exploits in South Africa, the 25-year-old said: “It was an unbelievable experience, I enjoyed my time away.
“I learnt a lot, and what it gave me as well was a real excitement about coming back here and getting back involved with Scotland and Glasgow and how we can actually achieve something.
“Sometimes you put other countries on a pedestal and think they do something different, but the groups I am involved with, there are some players who can definitely mix it up with the best.
“I got picked for what I do with Scotland so it gave me the belief and confidence that what I’m doing is not a bad job.
“I am nowhere near the finished article but I’m trying to get better every day and with the environment we have here, I definitely feel I can do that. I’m really excited about the future.”
Townsend named 12 uncapped players in his squad for the Autumn Nations Series games against Tonga, Australia, South Africa and Japan, including Fagerson’s Warriors team-mates, Rory Darge, Rufus McLean, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson and Sione Tuipulotu.
“I think it’s the most competitive Scotland squad I have been involved in with the young guys coming through and pushing us older players,” Fagerson said. “Every new addition has brought something different.
“We have a great culture here and a great environment and it’s testament to what we’ve got here that the boys who are not selected are absolutely gutted, not just because they are not going to play for Scotland but because they are not going to be in this environment.
“The big thing for us is when the boys come into the camp, just be yourself.
“I could say that definitely in Scotland squads in the past, it hasn’t been like that.
“To see these young guys coming in, getting up to speed just being themselves and enjoying their rugby as soon as they come in, it took me one or two years to get that confidence up and be myself.
“It’s a big thing for us driving the culture but it also means boys coming in can express themselves, they can try things, young lads inputting in meetings, that’s what is going to drive us forward.
“If you have got an opinion, it doesn’t matter who you are, let it be known, you are not going to be laughed at or anything.
“There is a massive growth mindset in the squad. We want to achieve some stuff and we have definitely got the squad for it.”
Double injury setback hits Scotland
Scotland have been dealt a double blow after centre Mark Bennett and hooker Fraser Brown were ruled out of their Autumn Nations Series game against Tonga.
Edinburgh hooker David Cherry has been called in as Brown’s replacement while flanker Magnus Bradbury has also been added to Gregor Townsend’s squad.
After facing Tonga on Saturday, the Scots will then prepare for Australia (November 7), South Africa (November 13) and Japan (November 20) in Edinburgh.