Saints farewell interview: Fraser Strachan

Once upon a time, it seemed like Saints’ future centre partnership would be formed by the two Frasers.
Fraser Strachan is leaving Saints this summerFraser Strachan is leaving Saints this summer
Fraser Strachan is leaving Saints this summer

Strachan and Dingwall looked to be a formidable pair as they came through the club’s Academy, with both players highly rated in the corridors of Franklin’s Gardens.

Strachan was at 12 and Dingwall was at 13.

The Wanderers won back-to-back A League titles and it seemed only a matter of time before the pair made first-team shirts their own.

But while that was exactly what Dingwall did, Strachan found opportunities harder to come by.

And he was unable to move up the pecking order as the likes of Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson really started to make their mark.

This week, it was announced that Strachan, who joined Saints’ Senior Academy at the start of the 2017/18 season, would be exiting the Gardens at the conclusion of his contract on June 30.

The 21-year-old will be making the move to ambitious Championship outfit Ealing Trailfinders this summer.

So how does the centre reflect on his time at Saints and why does he feel he wasn’t able to get the kind of big break Dingwall and Hutchinson enjoyed?

“It’s been tough from the start because there have obviously been some really good centres at Saints,” Strachan said.

“It’s been tough competition and it (not being kept at the club) didn’t come as too much of a shock and when all the coronavirus happened it was always going to be even tougher.

“I came through the Academy through the Under-18s and got opportunities early on to play in the A League.

“I came on in the A League final early on against Gloucester and we won it that year.

“Coming into the senior setup was daunting at first but I really enjoyed it.

“It was tough to get going at the start because there have been some really good centres ever since I joined the squad but they were great guys to learn from.

“I played a lot of times for the Wanderers and got on the bench for the first team but never got on in the Premiership unfortunately.

“It was just a bit stagnant and that’s why I felt like it was time to move and get some consistent game time at another club.”

And when asked why he felt he hadn’t enjoyed the kind of success Dingwall and Hutchinson have so far, Strachan said: “Playing with them, you learn stuff off them as well, even though they’re really young.

“When they start pushing on, you want to push on as well and I felt like I was ready to, but I just didn’t get the chance, which was frustrating because you see those guys playing and doing well and you know how good it can be.

“I never quite got there unfortunately.

“I suppose it’s about when you get your chance and doing well.

“Dingers and Rory Hutchinson both got given chances and did really well when they played.

“I’m not saying I didn’t do well, but if people get a chance before you and do well, they’re going to keep playing.

“There were obviously a couple of senior centres above them as well so it was just tough to get in.

“Not many boys were injured so I didn’t get that chance.

“I got a start against Wasps and thought I did pretty well, but nothing really came of it.”

That start, alongside Dingwall in the Premiership Rugby Cup win at Wasps in November 2018, was to be Strachan’s one and only appearance in the starting 15 for a first-team game.

He came off the bench a further three times.

And he is now just desperate to get some minutes under his belt as he starts the next chapter in his career.

“I was looking for a new club and Ealing came in with an offer which was good and I’m looking forward to taking my next steps there,” said the Luton-born back.

“Ealing have signed some really good players and it looks like it’s going to be an exciting club and squad to be part of.

“Hopefully I can get some games under my belt there and push on my career a bit more.

“I’ve spoken to Will Davis, who has been back and forth between Saints and Ealing and has now settled at Ealing, and he spoke very highly of the club.

“I spoke to him about the way they play and it’s a quite expansive style of rugby, which should suit my game, similar to Saints really.

“It was a no-brainer for me.”

But Strachan didn't leave Saints without some positive words ringing in his ears.

He said: "I got a call from all the coaches and they wished me all the best.

"They told me they are there for me if I need them and they said they've always liked watching me and coaching me, which was good to hear.

"I've learned a lot from those guys and I'm going to take what I've learned into my playing time at Ealing."