Fergus Lee-Warner used to be the bright-eyed kid who'd make sure he nabbed every player's signature on a poster or a jersey.
Now, the returning backrower is out to inspire a new generation of fans as he lives out his dream of playing for the Waratahs.
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The 29-year-old returns to NSW after stints with Worcester and Bath, initially making his name with the Western Force.
The Scone product grew up a die-hard Waratahs fan so when the chance to join former Easts coaches Darren Coleman and Pauli Taumoepeau came up, he jumped at it.
“They were my childhood team so it’s quite surreal to be back," he told media.
“I watched them for so many years, having them up in my room. It’s pretty cool to be coming into work into this facility, train and hopefully playing for them.
“I’ve got all the 2003,’ '04, and ’05 team posters up on my room. I remember when I was younger, we’d go to all the ‘Tahs games through school but I remember making my mum and dad stay behind to get every player’s signature.
“I now talk to kids when they come to members day and they say the same thing so it’s cool.”
Lee-Warner isn't afraid of tough work or throwing himself out of his comfort zone, spending his gap year on a two million-acre cattle station working throughout the night.
After winning the Nathan Sharpe Medal in 2020 with the Force, Lee-Warner took his chance overseas after being overlooked for higher honours.
“As soon as I was leaving, I got told I was potentially in the mixer for one of the wider squads but because I was leaving, I wasn’t anymore," he explained.
“Before that, I wasn’t getting much love (from higher honours) so I thought I may as well try a new life experience over there.”
He returns full of confidence he can match it with the world's best.
“Playing with guys like Finn Russell, and Ollie Lawrence who are at the top of their game, it just gives you confidence which I gained a lot playing in that league," Lee-Warner added.
“Hopefully I can come back and put it into practice here.”
