Fagerson feeling at home as he passes fifty

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Scotland's Matt Fagerson at the lineout during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and South Africa at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 10, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Six years ago, alongside brother Zander as a fledgling 19-year-old, Fagerson debuted in a shock loss to the United States in Houston. Now having earned cap number 50 in The Famous Grouse Nations Series win over Australia, he, and Scotland, have come on a fair bit in the time since.

Having gotten over the “hurdle” of that USA loss, Matt moved on quickly to a home bow against Fiji, also in 2018. That occasion is more indelible in his mind, as he recalled: “I remember coming off the bus and there was a photo I was sent and I’m just looking up at all the fans at the top of the stairs, pretty taken aback and amazed to experience it for the first time. Yeah, it was a great win against Fiji – sadly I came off with a dead leg so clearly my ‘firsts’ weren’t going to plan!”

Murrayfield bow: Matt running out for his first home cap, against Fiji in 2018

International rugby is meant to be hard. It’s quicker, more physical, more taxing mentally than any other form of the sport. And it takes time to learn your craft, as Matt explained: “It took me a while to have the confidence and comfortability in international rugby, maybe two or three years, and with that comes setbacks – I think not making the 2019 World Cup squad really made me have a look at my game and where to improve to deliver those consistent performances.

“The group has changed so much over the last three years, we’ve got a core group who gel really well, we get on and the environment we’ve created put us in good stead to improve.

“Getting married in the summer, I’ve got more responsibilities, and my wife has definitely changed me for the better as well; it’s been great.”

Having missed out on the 2019 squad that went to a Rugby World Cup in Japan, Matt wasn’t to be denied a second time, featuring in each of Scotland ‘s four matches in France last year. In terms of rugby highlights, appearing at the sport’s marquee event would be up there – but what about individual games that stick out?

“Winning at Twickenham [in 2021], even though it wasn’t in front of any fans, on the 150^th anniversary, that was one that will last a lifetime,” Matt said. “It was incredibly special to win there and then to do it again two years later, in front of all the fans, was probably even better.

“Argentina at home [in 2022, when Scotland recorded their biggest total in the fixture in a 52-29 success], beating Wales away, there have been plenty of memories.”

Like many, though, one experience stands out for Matt; the All Blacks game in 2022, which represented Doddie Weir’s last public appearance: “It was a game that was much more than a game. Obviously, Doddie coming out onto the pitch and I remember Jamie [Ritchie, captain] walking up to him, shaking his hand and everyone was in awe. The game was so closely contested and those are the sort of memories that really last, in that purple jersey with the Doddie tartan.”

A special day: Matt facing the All Blacks in 2022, a game so memorable for the attendance of Doddie Weir

It’s these moments that will live with a player forever, the dream of representing their country realised. For Matt, getting to face England is clearly something that was destined, as the accompanying picture attests; “clearly I was very excited to be laying hands on the Calcutta Cup for the first time!”

Young dreamer: A taste of things to come

And it wasn’t the last. He’s had his hands on it after playing his part in Calcutta Cup-winning teams of 2021, 2022 and 2023 and it’s these experiences, these moments, that become more precious the older you get.

“The more caps, the more you never take it for granted,” says Matt. “Playing for Scotland is the greatest privilege and playing with my brother is something that I never take lightly and every time we walk out to sing the anthems togethers, it’s an incredible moment for me, for our family and it’s definitely a ‘pinch yourself’ moment every time you walk into Murrayfield.”

The Fagerson brothers at full time after The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Australia at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

Will this landmark cap mean a little bit more? For a man who seems so settled in his rugby and in life, there’s still room to be stood in awe of what rugby can provide: “I’ll probably have to take a few deep breaths and take it all in, figure out where my wife is sitting so I don’t look over and catch eyes and get too emotional, if I do get to soak it all in in front of friends and family at Murrayfield.

“Going into work every day at Glasgow is a privilege and something I love doing. I live just across the road from the stadium so I get to roll out of bed and wander in. It’s such a great environment to be a part of so to have that success was a culmination of the hard work the boys had put in over the past two or three years and I feel really happy where I am at the minute, with Scotland as well.”

There’s a great deal more to come from a career that is now in full flight but for Matt Fagerson, beating Australia in his 50th outing for Scotland will surely prove to be one of his many career highlights.

49 and counting:Matt Fagerson contesting a line-out during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and South Africa at Scottish Gas Murrayfield