The Making of Zander Fagerson
As Zander Fagerson waited to hear if he had made the cut for The British & Irish Lions squad, son Hamish reassured the Scottish prop that he would love him either way.
But red is the colour of love and for Fagerson there was only one outcome that would have left him truly content as he chased a second call-up to represent a jersey of the same colour.
When confirmation came, it was a feeling that proved even sweeter the second time round for the Glasgow Warriors stalwart and he will travel with unfinished business, having not made a Test start in South Africa.
The 29-year-old burst onto the rugby scene in 2014 with a statement debut against Benetton Treviso and has continued his rise ever since, accruing 75 international appearances to become Scotland's most capped prop ever.
It was a trajectory that earned a call-up to the 2021 Lions squad and he played four times in the Rainbow Nation on a Tour that only left him hungrier for more.
IT WASN'T ALWAYS RUGBY
If Andy Farrell wanted to ensure his team were all singing from the same hymn sheet, then he has picked the right man in Fagerson.
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The tighthead prop, who hails from Perth, was a member of the National Boys Choir of Scotland in 2008, a skill he found not entirely redundant in rugby.
Fagerson admitted he 'had a few numbers to choose from' for his initiation song prior to a first international call-up, as his teammates looked forward to a rendition unusually kind on the ears.
But where there had been music sheets, there were soon dirt tracks as a 14-year-old Fagerson raced to the Scottish Youth Downhill Mountain Bike Championship title in 2010.
Had his gran had her way, Fagerson would have stayed on two wheels but despite also squeezing in a lifeguard qualification along the way, it was rugby that would win his full attention.
The decision was ultimately unsurprising with the question of nature versus nurture procuring the same answer for the Scot.
His paternal Swedish connections saw him carry the traits of a rugby player in his name since birth, his middle name Ragnar literally means 'warrior', while he grew up spending weekends watching the game.
'I'd come back from rugby on a Saturday morning 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,' he said.
A BAPTISM OF FIRE
Fagerson's zealous approach to the game led to notable early success as a prop, while also earning him the nickname of 'Zandbags'.
Having impressed with Glasgow Hawks and in the Warriors A team, he was handed a call-up to Glasgow Warriors away in Italy at Benetton Treviso.
Sat on the bench with his side reduced to 13 men by two yellow cards, it would have been understandable to see an 18-year-old shrink in the circumstances but Fagerson stood up and stepped up.
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His second-half entry into the front row helped Warriors hold on to a 40-23 away win, as coach Gregor Townsend hailed his contribution 'outstanding'.
It was a statement of intent that Fagerson backed up as he became the youngest player to reach 50 caps for Glasgow Warriors at just 21 years old - no mean feat for a prop.
Though he now has 162 appearances under his belt, becoming just the 15th player to reach the 150 milestone for the Scottish side, that trajectory was not always clear.
"There was a point in my career when I thought I wasn't getting a look in," Fagerson told BBC Sport after his Warriors debut.
"I was in a terrible place and was depressed and not happy at all. My mum said, 'Why are you depressed? You're giving in; you're letting the people that put you down win'.
"So I strive by proving people wrong. If you work hard, change your lifestyle and get determined, they've got nothing to come back at you with.'
And, just as on that fateful day in northern Italy, Fagerson has continued to show exactly why he must not be overlooked.
SCOTLAND AND LIONS COME CALLING
Fagerson's meteoric rise meant a call from the Scotland head coach was only a matter of time after bursting onto the scene in Italy.
Scott Cummings, Zander Fagerson, Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu react to being named in the British and Irish Lions squad 🦁 pic.twitter.com/jt9tndfEUn
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) May 9, 2025
Having represented in the blue shirt at under-16, under-18 and under-20 level he got the nod for the senior squad at the 2016 Six Nations, entering the field as a replacement against England at Murrayfield.
His club form at Warriors, that saw him reach the Guinness PRO14 semi-finals in 2018 and the final in 2019, kept his spot in the Scotland squad secure as he earnt a place in Townsend's 2019 World Cup squad.
Three appearances in Japan and further standout displays domestically booked Fagerson a plane ticket to South Africa for his first Lions Tour, though Covid-19 injury dampened the full magic of the occasion.
Having been due to start in a send-off match against Japan at Murrayfield a back spasm put paid to that ambition, while Tadhg Furlong and Kyle Sinckler played each of rhe Test matches.
'I feel like I didn't really give a great account of myself. I went into it in great shape. Then I had a little bit of a niggle with that back spasm,' Fagerson reflected.
'I always felt, what if? There were so many good players on that tour as well. I just supported the boys wherever I could.
'The sea of red is one of the key parts of a Lions series. It's going to be absolutely incredible to experience that for the first time with the full-capacity stadiums.
'We had a sneak peek at Murrayfield [in 2021]. That was restricted numbers and everyone was spaced out. I couldn't play that day. I was absolutely torn up about it.'
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Zander is not the only Fagerson to make an impact in the rugby world with younger brother Matt also representing Warriors and Scotland.
When Matt made his debut in blue in 2018, they became the 48th set of brothers to represent Scotland but must now accompany each other in the treatment room.
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Fagerson is facing a race to be back to full fitness after suffering a calf injury in training and will join his brother on trips to the physio as Matt recovers from ankle ligament damage.
'I feel for the physios with two Fagersons in the physio department. He's working really hard to come back as soon as he can,' said Fagerson, following his selection.
'There are so many good players just now playing so well. To be picked is even more special and it gives me a bit of fire in the belly to make sure I do all I can to get back quicker.
'No more cheat meals for me! Will I play for Glasgow again this season? I can't say yes or no.'
And the trip to Australia will not only be more special for the presence of crowds, but who will be in them.
The Fagerson clan strengthened in number in February 2025 during what has been a year of highs for the tighthead prop with the arrival of twins Fia and Hector.
It makes the second call-up all the more sweet for Fagerson who will aim to run out in red in front of the twins, and more experienced Fagerson squad members Hamish, Iona and wife Yasmin.
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'Is it as special to be selected a second time? Yeah, even more so. To have friends and family and all the fans back in the stands will be absolutely incredible. We're looking forward to that aspect of it too,' he said.
'I think I'll probably be on Skyscanner [looking for flights for the family] and the price is going to make me wince!
'I have four kids so we'll see. We'll go home and make a plan. My hand will be forced, I suspect.'
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