Family matters for Fagerson

EDINBURGH , SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Zander Fagerson during a Scotland training session at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 09, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

An incredibly hectic period would for many be made utterly chaotic had twin babies been brought into one’s life but for Zander Fagerson, the recent arrival of little Fia and Hector has been made less so by the support network around him.

“Everyone’s been absolutely fantastic and full credit to my wife, she’s been Supermum holding down the fort and letting me go to work,” the 29-year old tighthead explained. “The older two [Hamish and Iona] are being a great big brother and sister and helping when they can – refusing to do nappies but they’ll do everything else! The twins are doing great; happy and healthy.

“I was actually in South Africa with Glasgow for the URC round and found out in early May, so yeah it took me by surprise and of course we just kept it quiet. It was tough because you speak to some of the guys about little bits and bobs, some of them suggested ‘imagine it was twins’ and you know it actually is. Luckily older brother and sister were very happy with it too – one baby each as they said!”

A squad list of six, also containing said Supermum Yasmine, is the set-up for the Fagersons, with Zander saying that his wife’s role means he is free when required to concentrate on trying to win Test matches: “I just try to be as present as I can when I’m at home, doing all the jobs I can to help out, whether that’s being taxi driver for the older two or taking to twins out for a walk.

“It’s tough because you come into camp and the focus is on you, trying to get yourself best prepared mentally and physically for a Test match but when you go home, you’re not a priority; I’m bottom of the food chain. It’s a good bit of perspective and keeps you grounded.

“I can hand on heart say that coming to work is the easiest part of my day.”

Fagersons assemble!: Zander after Saturday’s Italy win with ‘Supermum’ Yasmine, new arrivals Fia and Hector, and veterans of their squad, Hamish and Iona.

The arrival of Fia and Hector was another landmark in what has been a dizzying 12 months for the Glasgow Warrior, who helped his side lift the United Rugby Championship [URC] title in June, became Scotland’s most capped prop forward of all time, and saw younger brother Matt his the magical 50-cap milestone in the recent win over Australia.

Best year of his life? “It’s up there, definitely top three,” he said. “It’s been a pretty incredible year and when I look back on my career, a lot further down the line hopefully, I’ll look back and say that 2024 was pretty crazy.”

Matt’s half-century was a particularly memorable occasion for the Fagerson clan and Zander, who reached his own 50^th during the 2022 tour to Argentina, explained why: Matt’s 50^th: “Really special. I was over the moon for him and can’t believe it came around so quickly. First and foremost, to get the win for him as well, I was chuffed we got that done for him.

Pictured:  Zander and Matt Fagerson after the latter won a 50th Scotland cap against Australia in November last year.

“I wanted to make it a special day for him and not build it up too much for him but in the back of my mind, I was thinking ‘it’s Matty’s big day, let’s make sure we put in a performance to be proud of’ so yeah, really chuffed and so happy our family could be there as well.”

With a win over Italy under their belts, Zander reckons that Scotland, with more depth than ever, are in a good place: “Full credit to the coaching staff for building that depth. Scotty [Cumings, second row and one of Zander’s closest mates] will be a big loss for the Six Nations, but it’s all about that collective goal of winning for Scotland and doing all we can to achieve that. With so many of us having played so many games together for Scotland, it means there’s a seamless transition when we get back together.

“All of the teams have improved, international rugby these days is all about those small margins and making sure you get everything right. We can’t write off any team and if you’re off by 1%, you’re going to get punished for it.”

Like so many, the Six Nations was a childhood obsession for Zander and the other Fagersons, as he recalled what the routine would be growing up: “Being a Caley boy and being a rugby family, I grew up watching it as a family after playing on a Saturday morning. Up early on the bus with Dundee High, come back and then we’d have it on for three days, Mum would be furious because we’d sit in front of the tv watching rugby all day.”

They may be a little young, but Zander’s cast of Yasmine, Hamish, Iona, Hector and Fia will doubtless be experiencing the same rigorous viewing routine for years to come in the hope they can witness more Scottish sporting success.

Pictued: Zander in creative mode against South Africa during The Famous Grouse Nations Series last year.