Matt Fagerson backs brother Zander to bounce back from Lions tour heartbreak
Younger brother Matt, who is currently in Fiji with Scotland, said of his sibling's disappointment: 'I think he took it pretty hard. He had his injury before the squad was announced and he was over the moon (when named in the squad).
Zander Fagerson was named in the Lions squad in May (John Walton/PA)
'He had been really diligent in his rehab and he was coming back to a really good place. And then re-injuring it, obviously that was definitely a big blow for him. But he's old enough now to sort of realise that there's some things he can't do.
'He did everything right, and these things happen, so I think he's come to accept that. He's just working away at home to try and get himself back fit and spend some quality time with the kids and his wife.'
The younger Fagerson would also have been deemed a potential contender for Lions involvement after excelling in the back row for Glasgow and Scotland, but he, too, suffered an untimely ankle injury in April that required surgery.
The consolation for the 26-year-old is that he has been able to 'shave a few weeks off' his rehab and get himself fit enough to join up with Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for their summer tour of the South Pacific.
'It (the Lions) was probably in the back of my mind, not really knowing if I was in the mix and obviously being out with an injury,' Fagerson said when asked how he viewed getting injured just a month out from Lions selection.
Matt Fagerson was injured against Leinster in April (Damien Eagers/PA)
'But when Gregor said that he was really keen for me to come on summer tour, that gave me a lot of purpose in what I was doing in my rehab.
'And that definitely drove me on, gave me something to hold on to. So I haven't really thought about it (the Lions) since, I've just focused on this tour now.'
Fagerson has been working his back to full fitness and, after sitting out last Saturday's non-cap international victory over Maori All Blacks, the back-rower now feels ready to return to contention for Saturday's Test against Fiji in Suva and end three months on the sidelines.
'It might have been a little bit of a stretch to play last weekend, but I feel good,' he said. 'I'm in great shape, physically. It's probably just been about getting the confidence in my ankle back.
'I feel like I've done that over the last week or so, and I've still got this week's training to do it, so if selected, I'll be ready to play.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
22 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Richard Hughes no stranger to Nunthorpe success as he readies Sayidah Dariyan
And ahead of Sayidah Dariyan's attempt to quickly double his tally at the highest level, the 52-year-old remembers delivering Edward Lynam's Sole Power with aplomb in the 2014 Nunthorpe, a ride which is often referred to as Hughes at the height of his powers. Richard Hughes knows what it takes to win at York (Mike Egerton/PA) A shock winner when surging home at 100-1 four years previously, the seven-year-old was an established name in the spiriting division and fresh off victory at Royal Ascot when Hughes entered the stalls aboard the 11-4 favourite. What would ensue in the following 57.92 seconds was a display of calculated decision making as Hughes weaved his way to the front in the nick of time in an exhibition of horsemanship which was a hallmark of his decorated career in the saddle. 'It was really straightforward and I always felt it was a race you needed to get your fractions the same every furlong,' said Hughes 'It looked like Sole Power was quickening but he was going the same speed from the two-furlong pole to the one as he did from the one-pole to the winning post, I would say, and it was the others which stopped. Sole Power 🚀 Watch the 2025 Ebor Festival live on Racing TV next week @yorkracecourse 📺 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 13, 2025 'I had no choice for four furlongs as I was flat to the bat, I know I was sitting on him but I couldn't go any quicker. 'It was only then when the pace finally collapsed – and it took a good while but it eventually did – and they were all in a bit of a heap and collapsed at a similar time that I got going, and I had a bit of luck along the way to get through the pack. 'It does give you some extra satisfaction when you win like that and I enjoyed it, that's for sure.' There are many ways to get a job done and while Sole Power's daring late dash is the showreel finish any jockey would be proud to wax lyrical about, in stark contrast, Hughes' first Nunthorpe triumph aboard Oasis Dream in 2003 was a mere formality as the outstanding sprinter of his generation blew away his rivals. Majestically handled by John Gosden, he was an impressive winner of the July Cup before dropping back to five furlongs to prove equally spellbinding on the Knavesmire, leaving Hughes with little doubt where he stands in the pantheon of sprinting greats. Richard Hughes (left) with Oasis Dream after winning the Nunthorpe (PA) He said: 'He was very, very fast and able to maintain it. He was a young horse at the time so he was exuberant. 'He would be one of the best sprinters I rode, he was third at Royal Ascot but won a July Cup and a Nunthorpe and not many do that, he was very good.' With triumphs in the saddle now confined to the memory bank and perhaps the odd photographic reminder on a wall, attentions turn to the next chapter in Hughes' Nunthorpe history book when Sayidah Dariyan takes her place in the showpiece sprint event. Successful over the course and distance in her most recent outing, Hughes is confident the talented daughter of Dariyan is coming to the boil at just the right time, as the Weathercock Stables handler looks to cap a breakout year in the training ranks at the scene of some of his finest hours on horseback. One of the better rides you will see from @loughnane_billy, steering Sayidah Dariyan to victory in the Group Three @WilliamHill Summer Stakes, the filly staying on strongly to the line 👏 — York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 11, 2025 'It would be lovely to win as a trainer,' continued Hughes. 'It might be a bit harder than when I was a jockey but we hope we have a great chance. 'Sayidah Dariyan really is going the right way and last time when she won at York, it was the first time she was ridden the way I like. 'She was covered up and ridden for a turn of foot by Billy (Loughnane) and she just exploded. We were able to see the best of her ridden that way. 'I don't think coming back to five furlongs will be too much of a hindrance to her, she's quite fast. 'I wouldn't swap her for anything and with No Half Measures as well, we know we have two nice fillies.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Thibault Klidje repays record Hibs transfer vs tame Livingston to set up Rangers quarter final
David Gray's men continued their early season momentum in the Premier Sports Cup Thibault Klidje marked his first start with a goal against Livingston as Hibs set up a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final date with Rangers. Josh Mulligan made sure of the win in the dying stages with a howitzer from distance just minutes after coming off the bench. Record £1million record signing Klidje glanced home Martin Boyle 's corner just before the break and put in a lively display before being subbed in the 68th minute. The Togo international had been restricted to four sub cameo outings before this clash and finally made the most of his chance to shine. Klidje was one of six changes to the starting XI as boss David Gray mixed it up ahead of Thursday's crucial Conference League play-off first leg against Legia Warsaw. Hibs wasted little time in finding their feet and could have gone ahead inside the first minute. Klidje outmuscled Shane Blaney to get on the end of a long ball and his dipping shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by the backtracking Jerome Prior. From Boyle's corner Klidje then found himself unmarked at the backrest but the 24 year-old made a mess of his header and Prior gathered. The Lions enjoyed success down the right flank but their deliveries into the box came to nothing. Lions keeper Prior then did well to push a Josh Campbell drive from distance away. But Hibs broke the deadlock two minutes before the break through Klidje. Boyle whipped in a corner from the left and Klidje met the delivery at the front post to glance past Prior. Livingston upped the pressure after the break but Hibs made sure keeper Rafa Sallinger had a quiet debut with a solid defensive display. And sub Mulligan wrapped up the win with a rocket from 25-yards that found the top corner in the 87th minute. Hibs' debut This was Hibs' seventh game in 25 days as they juggle domestic and European football and Hibs boss David Gray tinkered with the team that progressed in the Conference League with an extra-time aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade on Thursday. That meant handing full debuts to three of his new recruits. As well as Klidje, goalkeeper Salinger and midfielder Miguel Chaiwa also got the chance to impress. Towering Austrian stopper Sallinger's appearance came on the back of number one Jordan Smith being at fault for two goals against the Serbians. Pace in attack Kieron Bowie delivered a textbook display in forward play against Partizan and with the marksman enjoying a well earned rest from the starting XI Martin Boyle and Klidje led the line. Hibs were happy to hit high balls over the top for the pacey pair to run onto. That caused problems for the Lions centre backs Ryan McGowan and Shane Blaney. And McGowan picked up a booking in the 16th minute for a cynical foul on Klidje on the far touchline. Record transfer makes a mark After four sub outings amounting to only 33 minutes record signing Klidje was finally handed the chance to show what he is all about from the start. There was not even a minute on the clock when the former Luzern man forced a save from Jerome Prior. He put in a shift and his overeuberance got the better of him when he was booked for barging into Shane Blaney. But he had the Hibs chanting his name with the opening goal in the 43rd minute when he forced home Martin Boyle's corner. Klidje went off to a standing ovation from the Hibs fans in the 68th minute Tame Lions Livingston were blunt in attack in the first half as they failed to even register a single shot on target. It was an easy first start for Sallinger in the Hibs goal. Robbie Muirhead went into the game with four goals in six outings but he had an off day in front of goal. The experienced striker was set up by Andy Winter after the break as the hosts chased an equaliser but he failed to get a shot away from a promising position. Livingston 's first shot on target came after 54 minute but even that was a tame effort from outside the box from Scott Pittman that was easily collected by Sallinger. Euro boost This result and performance ticked all the right boxes for Hibs boss David Gray ahead of Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg visit of Legia Warsaw. As well as giving much needed game time to some of his squad as they booked a quarter-final against Rangers, it also meant there was a well earned rest for others who needed it. The likes of Bowie, Chris Cadden and Rocky Bushiri also watched on from the bench without being needed.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Premier League boss already fearing for his future just THREE games into new season after shocking start
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUBEN SELLES confessed Sheffield United fans may already feel it's time he 'f***ed off' after just three games. After starting his reign with three successive defeats, the Spaniard is already the most under-pressure manager in the Championship. 2 Sheffield United have lost three from three so far Credit: PA 2 Swansea star Ronald pulls the Cristiano Ronaldo 'Siu' celebration after giving his side the lead yesterday Credit: PA Selles watched his team fail to muster a single shot on target as Ronald scored the winner for Swansea. It means after a 4-1 thrashing by Bristol City and exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Birmingham, the Blades boss is facing an early-season crisis. Selles, 42, said: 'We know how it works and I can ask the fans to be calm. But they are going to tell me, probably, to 'f*** off'. 'But we are going to be honest, we are going to work hard, we are going to persist in what we do, and we are going to give it 100 per cent. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL INTO TOP GEA Man Utd exploring sensational Old Trafford return for David de Gea 'And at some point the situation will turn and we'll start to win matches.' In fairness, Selles has hardly had time to add tapas to the training game menu but on the field it looks like he is blending all the wrong flavours. His team lacked any kind of goal threat. No such problems for the Swans as Ronald struck from the edge of the box in the 66th minute, before pulling off Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark 'Siu' celebration. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Swansea gaffer Alan Sheehan said: 'I'm really pleased. 'The only critical thing we can say, again, is not being more clinical and putting the game to bed.'
