Scotland No.8 Fagerson brands Welsh prop's actions 'pathetic' in explosive interview
Scotland No.8 Matt Fagerson has refused to pull any punches in delivering his take on the red shown to his brother Zander in Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations.
Zander was given a highly contentious red card for connecting with the head of Welsh prop Wyn Jones when ‘recklessly’ entering a ruck. The red card would prove pivotal in the game, with Wales rallying back and winning a match that they had been losing up until that point.
The loss came after Scotland’s titanic Calcutta Cup triumph in Twickenham had given Gregor Townsend’s men hope of a Six Nations run and left a bitter taste in Scottish mouths. The tighthead went on to receive a four-game ban, which he appealed but ultimately lost.
Now, in an explosive interview with Tom English in Rugby World magazine the younger Fagerson has branded Welsh prop Wyn Jones’ behaviour as ‘pathetic’ and called into question the actions of Liam Williams.
EXCLUSVE INTERVIEW! Matt Fagerson talks to @TEnglishSport in the latest issue of Rugby World – out now! https://t.co/y6xt5txBzc pic.twitter.com/zOA4CtE01z
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) March 10, 2021
“By the letter of the law that is a red. There is probably a few more in the game but that is the one they picked up on. There has to be some common sense when it comes to the disciplinary process, though,” Fagerson told Rugby World. “They want players to see the error of their ways and not repeat it, and fair enough, but it’s an accidental clearout.”
“If Wyn Jones doesn’t roll around on the floor… that was pathetic. He appeals to the ref, got nothing and then stayed on the floor.
The hard carrying Glasgow No.8 now fears his brother could miss out on a Lions tour as a result of the sanction which will see him miss Scotland’s match with Ireland this weekend.
“He’s up there with Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter and I think the Ireland game would have been a massive opportunity to showcase what he does in terms of possible Lions selection.
“I’ve heard legends of the game like Brian O’Driscoll and Stephen Ferris questioning the punishment and then talking about what it might mean for Zander’s Lions chances. It’s serious stuff.”
Fagerson also pointed out that Wales fullback Liam Williams could easily have copped a red card and suggests that what players want is consistency when it comes to how cards are deployed.
“I’m not one to dwell on Zander’s red card but you have Liam Williams with a forearm to the head of James Lang earlier in the game. I got a three-week ban and a red card for that in a PRO14 game once. You don’t want to be seeing red cards but it’s the inconsistency.
“No disrespect to Wales but they were nothing special, they weren’t stressing us in any area. Louis Rees-Zammit was awesome but even at the end we had an opportunity to win.”
While the interview was conducted closer to the time of the incident, when emotions were high, it has certainly raised eyebrows online among Welsh fans.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments