Fagerson eyes more special moments with Glasgow Warriors

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Zander Fagerson during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on September 16, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Indeed, of the 361 players to represent Glasgow Warriors since the dawn of professionalism in 1996, it’s a feat achieved by just 15 of the club’s most memorable names.

Friday night lights 🏟️

Here is your Glasgow Warriors team to take on @BenettonRugby at Scotstoun in our 2024/25 home opener! 💪

🎟️ https://t.co/2QkIzRRnKh#WhateverItTakes | @MackenzieConstr pic.twitter.com/scED60ohU9

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 26, 2024

It’s a fact not lost upon the most recent inductee into the ‘150 club’, as he prepares to mark the occasion with friends and family at Scotstoun tomorrow night a week on from reaching the milestone.

“I just tried to treat it as I would any other game, really, but looking back on it you can’t help but realise what a special occasion it was,” Zander Fagerson told glasgowwarriors.org as he looked back on last Saturday’s season opener in Belfast.

“To have that moment in the dressing room after the match with the boys was unreal. To play one game for Glasgow Warriors is an incredible feeling, so to reach 150 is an incredible honour and something I’ll cherish forever.”

“It was great to have [wife] Yas and a few friends over in Belfast for the game, too – Yas made a big effort to come over, and to be able to take to the field with Matt for that milestone as well was really special. You never take these games for granted, and it means a great deal to me.”

An 87^th minute score from Ulster may have denied Fagerson a victory on his milestone moment, but the tight-head – who made 21 tackles in a 30-minute stint off the bench in a typically all-action display – insists that the Warriors are in a strong position ahead of tomorrow night’s home opener against Benetton.

With the Italian outfit also keen to bounce back from an opening day 20-20 draw with the Scarlets in Treviso, the prop is fully aware that the Warriors will need to be on top of their game under the Friday night lights.

“We really fronted up physically, as everyone will have seen from the tackle stats, so we know that the blueprint is there for us,” said the prop.

“We played some great rugby at times and we just need to take more chances when they come our way.

“We weren’t that far away last weekend, so we want to fix those small tweaks and make sure we’re on top form when we come back home this weekend.”

There’ll be another special moment for Fagerson pre-match, too, with the British and Irish Lion set to lead out his side in recognition of his 150^th appearance.

With family and friends set to join the rest of the Warrior Nation in the stands at Scotstoun, it promises to be another landmark fixture in the prop’s illustrious career.

“My gran’s coming through for the game this weekend, and my kids will be there too – it’ll be great to celebrate reaching 150 appearances with them,” said Fagerson.

“Iona’s reaction was ‘one, two, miss a few, 150’ so she’s definitely grasped how many games it was! They’re really excited for this weekend and can’t wait to run out onto the pitch.

“Every game at Scotstoun is a special game. The Warrior Nation has some of the greatest fans in the world, and they’ll travel anywhere and everywhere to get behind us.

“We’re looking to go out there, deliver a performance they can be proud of and hopefully come away with the right result too.”