THOUSANDS of kids dream of playing for Scotland - but Glasgow forward Zander Fagerson took that dream just a little bit more seriously than most from his earliest years.

The Warriors prop, who won his first cap against England in last Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship match, revealed yesterday that he first announced his ambition when he was just three years old.

“I told my nursery teacher when I was three that I was going to play for Scotland,” said the 20-year-old, who came on for Edinburgh prop WP Nel for the last 10 minutes of the 15-9 Calcutta Cup defeat. “I was throwing kids about the playground at nursery - I got into a bit of trouble for that. She sent me a card and gave me a call after the game.”

Fagerson admitted to mixed emotions after the game, Scotland’s eighth defeat in a row in the Six Nations Championship - their worst run of results since Italy were added to the old Six Nations back in 2000.

He was obviously disappointed to have a losing debut, but at the same time was proud to have realised his ambition of playing for his country, specially at a far earlier age than most props make their breakthrough.

“I was pretty gutted,” he went on. “That game was there for the taking. We were six points away from getting the win.

“I was pretty down after it. I looked back and then I thought ‘First cap, I have to enjoy it’. Couldn’t have a sad face all the time.

“I had three scrums. It was just like playing for Glasgow in the Champions Cup - a bit faster and noisier, but I didn’t feel out of my depth. I tried the whole day not to let the emotion get in the way of it - I just took it as any other game. Felt pretty comfortable.

“I didn’t know I was definitely going to get on, so I was really chuffed to get ten minutes. It was pretty immense and I had a great time.

“First taste of international rugby. I loved every second, so I’m hungry for more.”

Strangely for someone who looks to be such a natural prop, Fagerson only switched to the front row from the back four years ago. He credits the smooth transition in part to the advice given him by other props.

“I was No.8 up until 16s. I’d like to say I was a good No.8 - I possibly wasn’t the fittest or fastest, but I think that helps me with loose play just now.

“The technical side is coming along nicely every game. I don’t know if I’m a quick learner or I listen well. I just take on board what everyone says, soak it all in.

“WP has been a good help, and I’ve just been asking questions and picking his brain. Having Euan Murray at Glasgow last year was also awesome.”

Meanwhile, the PRO12 fixture dates for the rest of the season were confirmed yesterday. The Warriors’ home game against Cardiff Blues on Sunday, March 6, will now kick-off at 2.30pm, earlier than originally scheduled.

The game against Zebre in Italy, postponed from January to accommodate the rescheduled Champions Cup tie with Racing 92, will be on Friday, April 8.