Fagerson signs up for more

Scotland international back-rower Matt Fagerson has pledged his future to Glasgow Warriors, putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal with the club ahead of the 2022/23 season.

A product of the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy, the Perth-born forward joins elder brother Zander in extending his contract at Scotstoun, becoming the sixth Warrior in total to re-sign with the club prior to the new campaign.

Fagerson has become one of the most dynamic ball-carriers in Scottish rugby since breaking into the Glasgow squad back in the 2016/17 season, having first been involved with the club in a 63-0 win over Canada ‘A’ at Bridgehaugh in the 2016 pre-season.

His professional debut came against Ulster in September 2016, coming off the bench in front of the Warrior Nation in a narrow 22-17 defeat at Scotstoun.

He then went on to help Scotland U20 to a best-ever finish of fifth at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia in the summer of 2017, in a squad also containing future Glasgow team-mates including Thomas Gordon and Stafford McDowall.

Having agreed his first professional contract ahead of the 2017/18 season, it was under Dave Rennie that Fagerson began to establish himself as an integral member of the playing group.

A powerful, try-scoring performance against Exeter in the Heineken Champions Cup was one of 18 appearances in all competitions, the quality of which saw the back-rower take home the Mackenzie Construction Most Improved Player of the Season prize at the club’s annual Awards Dinner and earn a maiden international call-up ahead of Scotland’s summer tour of the Americas.

Fagerson became just the second forward – after Jonny Gray – to be capped by Scotland as a teenager in 67 years when he made his Scotland debut against the USA in Houston, as well as becoming part of the 48^th set of brothers to represent Scotland when lining up alongside Zander in the same match.

The back-rower returned to Glasgow colours in style in the 2018/19 campaign, crossing for six tries – including a score in the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park – in 22 outings across all competitions.

In total, he has made 79 appearances to date for the Warriors, most recently starting on the blindside in Saturday’s narrow defeat to La Rochelle.

Fagerson will also be looking to add to his 17 Scotland caps in his career thus far, having last week been named in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.

“It’s amazing to be staying at my boyhood club,” a delighted Fagerson told glasgowwarriors.org following his re-signing.

“I’m loving my time with the Warriors and to stay with a club that I feel has real ambition and is starting to build towards something special was a no brainer.

“I want to go to the next World Cup and perform well for Scotland on a regular basis – I believe Glasgow will give me the platform to do that.

“I feel I’m able to continue to develop my game here. I get to work with the likes of Rory [Darge] and Jack [Dempsey] and the coaches are helping me develop the leadership aspect of my game.

“Everybody loves coming into work and the guys give it their all every week, and I’m happy to do the same.

“I can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

Head Coach Danny Wilson added: “It’s great news that another Scotland international has re-signed with the club.

“Matt came through the academy system here at Glasgow and has really stepped up in recent years.

“He’s been playing well for us and gets through a lot of work in both attack and defence.

“We’re excited to see him continue to take the field in a Warriors jersey.”