Glasgow Warriors star Matt Fagerson admits his side weren’t good enough when they faced Toulon the Challenge Cup Final last season – but he insists revenge can’t be the motivation for Friday night’s rematch in the Champions Cup.
The Scotland forward made a return from injury against Exeter last weekend after spending a month on the sidelines with a double fracture in his face and he was then named in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations campaign. He hasn’t began to think about that though and his whole focus is on Friday night’s must win game against French opposition.
Warriors suffered a 43-19 defeat in Dublin in the final last season and they take on Toulon again knowing a victory will put them into the round of 16 while defeat ends their European campaign for another year. Fagerson admits that the defeat will be in some of the players minds but insists they can’t let it be their motivation too much and he doesn’t believe head coach Franco Smith would allow them to think like that anyway.
He prefers to look towards the game against Exeter as motivation after running the English outfit close because they did things in that game they failed to do against Toulon last season and he’s desperate to see more of that from him and his teammates.
He said: “If we focus too much on the revenge aspect you’ll get carried away but it’ll be in the back of the boys minds. Franco (Smith) hasn’t spoken about it too much yet but a lot of the focus will be on ourselves and what we can take from the Exeter game and what we can bring this week, especially at home in front of our fans.
“We didn’t fire many shots and that’s one of the great things about the weekend just gone, we didn’t leave with many regrets other than a few decisions here and there but we left a lot out there and fired as many shots as we can whereas in the final we didn’t do that. We didn’t give the best account of ourselves so as long as we do that out here we’ll hope to have a good day.”
Fagerson was left frustrated by Saturday’s controversial ending to the game and he revealed there was anger in the away dressing room after the game, but the overwhelming feeling from him was pride at how they performed.
Glasgow’s last two trips to Exeter saw them lose 52-17 and 42-0 but they pushed them close this time with a 19-17 defeat and Euan Ferrie had a try disallowed in the final minute which many viewed as a dubious decision.
And Fagerson said: “It was frustrating but hats off to Fez (Euan Ferrie) for trying to come off the scrum and charge it down but once you go to the TMO anything can happen. Shouldn’t come down to the last minute but proud of the boys.
“It was tough. In a game like that away from home your emotions are flying around and there’s anger and everyone’s gutted. There was a lot of pride as well, especially from the boys who played when we got 40 shipped on us last time we were down there, it’s a massive step up. It was against a team who pride themselves on being at home, they uncharacteristically lost against Saints but before that they hadn’t lost in 18 months or something so it was a massively proud day for us going down.
“Ali has been phenomenal this year and really leads the lineout aspect of our team as well. He’s been great. We’ve had quite a few injuries and Fez stepped up at the weekend but we’ve got boys all around. Gregor Hiddleston picked up his first cap and we’ve got two fit hookers in Jonny and George as well so when these young guys have the opportunity to perform like that, it’s brilliant. It’s what it’s expected of them and it’s great they can showcase their ability.”
Fagerson will join up with Scotland after the game and he’s excited to be back with the squad having enjoyed the World Cup after his injury hit festive period.
He said: “Hopefully the boys can kick on from what we did at the World Cup and hopefully put our best foot forward for the first game against Wales.
“Thankfully the bones in your face heal really quickly so it was only about a month or so of rest.
“Our physios are very good at getting you game ready so you hit the ground running. I felt good going into it and having a break over the Christmas period helped so I just wanted to get stuck in among it.”
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