Player Spotlight: Zander Fagerson

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Zander Fagerson heads dow the tunnel at full time during a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on February 01, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Profile

A product of the High School of Dundee and Strathallan School, Zander Fagerson has evolved into a cornerstone of the Scottish national team. Since making his international debut against England in 2016, he has earned 76 caps.

Fagerson’s career is defined by his work on the world’s biggest stages. He has been a key figure in two Rugby World Cup campaigns 2019 and 2023 and made his British & Irish Lions tour debut in South Africa in 2021. Though an injury sidelined him from the 2025 Lions tour to Australia, being selected was a testament to the high level of his game.

In 2018, he and his younger brother, Matt, became the 48th pair of brothers to represent Scotland in a Test match during the tour of the USA and they both remain central to a Glasgow Warriors side enjoying current success.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Scotland’s Zander Fagerson in action during a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on February 09, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

A true powerhouse

Unlike many props who are substituted early, Zander is known for his ability to play deep into the 80th minute, maintaining high intensity in the set piece. A true anchor of the scrum, Fagerson knows how to absorb the impact and drive opponents back.

Yet he is more than a set-piece specialist; his mobility makes him a secondary playmaker in the tight channels. Defensively and with ball in hand, Fagerson is a physical presence all over the pitch.

Noted to have grown up idolising Scotland’s Tom Smith, he emulates part of the legendary prop’s game in his own.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Zander Fagerson during a Scotland rugby training session at Oriam, on February 04, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Fagerson’s impact

As one of the most experienced leaders in the squad, Fagerson provides the stability that allows Scotland’s backline to play freely. With three tries to his name for Scotland he will be hoping to add to that tally during 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.