THE “fear of God” may have been lifted from the Scotland squad but Zander Fagerson insists there will be no slacking now that Gregor Townsend is in charge.
The new national team head coach’s first week in post has given those who were not part of his Glasgow revival the chance to draw their opening impressions.
And most, according to Fagerson, one of Townsend’s old Scotstoun troops, will just be relieved they no longer risk the wrath of former head coach Vern Cotter.
The famously stern New Zealander’s iron fist helped the Scots punch above their weight.
The job of continuing Scotland’s recent progress as they target the 2019 World Cup now falls to Townsend. Although he may not possess the menacing snarl of his predecessor, Fagerson is certain Townsend will make his mark in his own way.
The Warriors prop said: “It’s been good to get back involved and get back together with the boys and new coaching staff. It’s been weird to have Gregor there, though. We’ve just finished the season at Glasgow and now come back in and it feels like a Glasgow session again.
“The coaching techniques are different to Vern’s but we’re all getting to know each other. You can make a mistake and not get yelled at. With Vern you’d just get a bollocking.
“I’d say the approach has changed under Gregor, it’s more detailed certainly. We’re recapping a few things and he’s bringing things from Glasgow, but new things as well. It’s a blank slate for everyone, we’re just trying to get as much in as possible so there’s a lot of work, a lot of notes.
“Vern and Gregor are two fantastic coaches and both get their point across. You either buy in or you don’t. Gregor likes a review and likes seeing you doing your work and going over your clips. He likes you to do that instead of him coming to you. Vern was pretty much the same, he’d call you out if you did something wrong. I just think Gregor’s more about details.
“It’s all about the process of performance and detail. If you don’t run your dummy lines you’ll hear about it but in different ways. One puts the fear of God into you and the other says, ‘Just do it again’.”
Townsend will unveil his vision for the national side when they kick off the first leg of their Asia-Pacific tour, against Italy in Singapore on June 10.
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