"Six months after a devastating injury saga, Glasgow Warriors' Zander Fagerson is feeling reborn. The 29-year-old prop, father of four, has been on an emotional rollercoaster, but he's emerged from the shadows with a renewed sense of purpose.
Fagerson's story began last year, when he was part of the British & Irish Lions team that fell short in Australia. However, his own career was dealt a significant blow just days before the tour when he suffered another calf injury. The pain and disappointment were overwhelming – "it was brutal" – but Fagerson refused to give up.
Instead, he channeled his emotions into making the most of a situation that could have easily derailed his life. He took his family on an unforgettable holiday to Asia, which provided much-needed respite from his own personal struggles.
Now, as Glasgow remain unbeaten in the Champions Cup and set to face Saracens at Scotstoun, Fagerson is back fit and firing – although not quite match-fit just yet. The prospect of leading Scotland into the Six Nations also brings a renewed sense of excitement and purpose.
Despite the loss of Huw Jones and Adam Hastings to Toulon and Montpellier respectively, Fagerson remains optimistic that his team will continue to thrive. "We want to win every game we play," he says with characteristic enthusiasm.
As Fagerson approaches his 30th birthday on January 19, he acknowledges that life is a journey, not a destination. He's come to accept that age brings its own set of challenges, but also opportunities for growth and renewal.
For this Scottish rugby star, the key to success lies in finding balance between family life and professional demands. As a father of four under seven, Fagerson knows what it takes to keep his priorities straight – "the kids have been trying to hide bits of artwork for me," he laughs.
As Glasgow look to push their Champions Cup ambitions further, Fagerson is eager to prove himself once more. He's no longer defined by injury or heartbreak; instead, he's a warrior on the brink of new glory, armed with an unshakeable faith in his own abilities and those of his teammates.
Fagerson's story began last year, when he was part of the British & Irish Lions team that fell short in Australia. However, his own career was dealt a significant blow just days before the tour when he suffered another calf injury. The pain and disappointment were overwhelming – "it was brutal" – but Fagerson refused to give up.
Instead, he channeled his emotions into making the most of a situation that could have easily derailed his life. He took his family on an unforgettable holiday to Asia, which provided much-needed respite from his own personal struggles.
Now, as Glasgow remain unbeaten in the Champions Cup and set to face Saracens at Scotstoun, Fagerson is back fit and firing – although not quite match-fit just yet. The prospect of leading Scotland into the Six Nations also brings a renewed sense of excitement and purpose.
Despite the loss of Huw Jones and Adam Hastings to Toulon and Montpellier respectively, Fagerson remains optimistic that his team will continue to thrive. "We want to win every game we play," he says with characteristic enthusiasm.
As Fagerson approaches his 30th birthday on January 19, he acknowledges that life is a journey, not a destination. He's come to accept that age brings its own set of challenges, but also opportunities for growth and renewal.
For this Scottish rugby star, the key to success lies in finding balance between family life and professional demands. As a father of four under seven, Fagerson knows what it takes to keep his priorities straight – "the kids have been trying to hide bits of artwork for me," he laughs.
As Glasgow look to push their Champions Cup ambitions further, Fagerson is eager to prove himself once more. He's no longer defined by injury or heartbreak; instead, he's a warrior on the brink of new glory, armed with an unshakeable faith in his own abilities and those of his teammates.