As a boy in Biggar, Fergus Watson longed for a grandfather Scotland Capt. Bill Watson is now in his late seventies, but some 50 years ago, he wore the Velcro 10 times alongside giants such as Andy Irvine, Ian McLauchlan, Jim Renwick and Sir Ian McGeechan. He would later lead the entire Scottish rugby enterprise as CEO during the turbulent early years of professionalism.
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More than two decades since he left office, those ties are still felt by his 21-year-old grandson, a muscular wing who should see significant action for Glasgow this season. Usually, family memories are warm. Sometimes, however, the waves of the past strike differently.
In his first week of training with Scotland U20s, Watson has seen the figure of forwards coach Fergus Pringle emerge. Pringle, who is now in charge of the age group, worked under Bill at the famous Boroughmuir club in Edinburgh.
Watson remembers the conversation going something like this: “He came up to me and asked, ‘Is Bill Watson your grandfather?’
“‘Yes.’
“’I’m pretty sure he fired me from Boroughmuir.’
“Oh, well that’s a great start.”
Today, grandfather and grandson are watching rugby together. Bill marvels at the size and strength of the modern player. Fergus asks him about those sepia days before agents and GPS units and protein shakes. The Watson family were invited into the dressing room when Fergus delivered the player who made his debut against Benetton back in March. Having Bill by my side was especially poignant.
“Growing up and seeing his cap and wearing it, I thought, ‘I want one of those someday,'” Watson says. “My mom and dad worked a lot, so we spent one or two days a week with my grandparents, playing in the garden and stuff. He was at most of my games, accompanied me most of the time.
“He shook my hand and did ‘well done’ after my debut. He looked a little in the eye and I understood what he meant. As long as I’m making him proud, I’m doing something right. For him to be there at that moment was pretty special, to bring my family into the dressing room and see the shirt presentation.
“We were looking back at the old match programs recently and the players’ weights were recorded. Compared to today, I would have been one of the heaviest players there. My grandfather was just saying how much the game had changed. When I go home and sit and watch rugby with him, it’s quite interesting to hear his interpretations and he asks me things.”
At 6ft 4in and over 100kg, Watson is truly a powerful specimen. But he is quiet and off the field. He says he was more nervous about his post-match speech than the appearance of that first URC outing.
Fittingly, his jersey was presented by Josh McKay. They are different characters, the flamboyant outdoorsy Kiwi and the quiet young Scot, but McKay has played a mentoring role in his fellow back three’s rise. He addressed the group, talking about the hamstring injury in November that sidelined Watson for four months, praising the sweat he spilled on the gym floor and piled on his body, pointing to a shirtless Watson: “Look at how you’re doing!” With McKay qualifying for Scotland on residency in just two months’ time, there is a chance they could one day play together at Test level.
“I remember the first time I came in and Josh was one of the first guys to talk to me and come over and shake my hand,” Watson says. “In the same position, he was always very approachable. I could ask him anything and he always had time to answer me. Even now, in the gym, he jokes with us.”
“He told me not to dwell on mistakes and when you do something well, he’ll make sure you know. Even on my debut he told me to go out there and have fun and he’ll give me the ball. It takes the pressure off you knowing he’s got your back.”
Watson scored a typically powerful try on the day, but with Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith and McKay in the mix, he played just one more Warriors game last term. His cameo and his potential were enough to earn him a summer call-up to train with Scotland in Madrid ahead of their Nations Championship campaign.
High ball as we saw above All black people-The Springboks games are recent, they really went after the team and that really defined who was going to win. I have to keep it up.
“I did it in Six Nations where you come in during the day, but to be in that environment and have the other guys accept you – I felt like, having played this year, I had a little bit more respect.
“A lot of the Glasgow lads were involved as well so I was able to have a bit more banter which made me feel more comfortable on the pitch and express myself. You can just see it’s a step up but it doesn’t look crazy far.”
Luke O’Dea, strength and conditioning academy coach in Glasgow, deserves a mention here. He is one of several people who have helped Watson make sure Test rugby doesn’t feel like a distant prospect. On O’Dea’s watch, Watson’s performance in the gym soared, his bench press jumping from under 100kg to the gold standard of his ‘three wheel’ gym brother – a trio of 20kg plates on either side of the bar for a total of 140kg. These gains in strength and power allowed Watson to use his talent and make an impact in the men’s game.
“I was able to lift weights that I didn’t think I could. He was a real turner for me, making sure we were hitting targets, but the right way. I could talk to him about anything. That’s what he instilled. He’s one of your mates, not a coach. Even when it’s tough, you get absolutely whipped, and we’ve got a good team at practice against the red team. in our corner.”
Watson’s obvious goal is to improve on last season’s two-game hitting streak. Interestingly, he played full-back in Glasgow’s pre-season games. He has the weapons to realize his ambitions, but he knows there are aspects of his game that need improvement.
“I would say my ability to carry the ball, to beat defenders, that’s my super-strength,” he says when asked what sets him apart from his rivals.
“My aerial game, I try to be present in the air and win space as well as the ball with the way the game is developing. The high ball we saw recently in the All Blacks-Springboks games, they really went after it and that really defined who was going to win. I have to keep pushing that. I’m trying to work on my kicking game, but not too well, but not playing a lot. looking for those angles.
“And also defensively, I’m trying to put myself in trickier, more awkward positions and see how I handle it. Scott (Forrest, Glasgow’s defense coach) is really good at helping us with that, making us brave, testing your height and width in the defensive line.”
This was the summer of Watson’s life. Running with the big dogs in Madrid, a family trip to the south of France and a completely different holiday in Ibiza with five fellow members of the ‘young team’ from Glasgow. “The age range of people there was crazy,” he says. “You’re in a club and you look, and the people dancing next to you are old enough to be your mom and dad.”
The boys on the Ocean Beach dance floor will become the core team in Glasgow for years to come. Franco Smith brought in more academy players than ever before this past year as the union tightens its belt and keeps a close eye on overseas recruitment. The opportunity to build a domestic core with his closest friends and become the heart of the club for years to come, Watson does not miss.
“Being able to come to work every day with my friends and then play with all the boys on the weekend is really good fun.
“It’s so good for them that they’ve all signed as professionals too, I’m so happy for them because it wouldn’t have been the same without them all. I would have met guys like Johnny Ventisei and Matty Urwin when I was 16 and to go all the way with them was pretty special. To share the court with them in a URC or a European match would be cool.”