Fresh from celebrating a 50th cap for Scotland during the Quilter Nations Series, Scotland flyer Darcy Graham reflected on the landmark occasion, as well as the rest of 2025, which has brought no shortage of dramatic moments.
It may not have played out in the manner in which he dreamed of – a gut-punching loss to Argentina – but the pre-amble and experience of the day was still very special to the 27-year-old Hawick man: “It was incredible. To run out first was special. I’m normally at the back but it was pretty cool to run out first and look up at the family. I knew where they were, they were enjoying the moment as well. It was amazing, even more special.”
“I kind of held it together. But as you say, it’s such a special place to play. I’m absolutely delighted to make 50. I love playing at Murrayfield. It’s the best stadium in the world and the fans are incredible.”
In many ways, the way in which Darcy’s 50th cap played out mirrored large chunks of his own calendar year.
From initial disappointment, to unexpected ecstasy, to injury heartbreak. The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia tested Darcy Graham’s emotions at every opportunity.
A surprise exclusion from the squad to start with, the winger was drafted in for a midweek match against First Nations & Pasifika XV. After just 10 minutes in he had his first try, but it was clear something was amiss having picked up a knock. His Lions debut was over 16 minutes after it had began, the Edinburgh Rugby man in tears as he left the pitch.
But, having had time to reflect, Graham is still grateful to have had the experience, and sees learnings to take back for club and country.
“The whole summer was a roller coaster, but it was incredible looking back on that. I didn’t let hurting my ankle ruin the Lions experience. And it was just totally worth it. Josh van der Flier said to me ‘If somebody said you can get a Lions cap, get your number and score a try, but you’re going to hurt your ankle, you’d shake their hand.’
“The whole experience was unbelievable. I had the family out there and spent a couple of weeks over in Australia with them, something we would never have got to do if it hadn’t been for the Lions.
“I was only there 10 days or so and I picked up so much. And so the boys, that had been there the whole tour, they all picked up a lot. And I think it’s just mainly confidence. When you train with these Irish, English boys, you realise we’re the same, so we’ll take huge confidence from that coming into Six Nations time. When we next go up against them, we’re the exact same. I think that’ll be the big one, is that confidence next time we play them.”
“I started off the season not alright and then three tries in two games, not bad at all! So hopefully it continues. It’s been good to get back to Edinburgh.
“It felt like ages, going away on a summer tour and then with the Lions and then having a wee bit of time off. It feels like ages since I’ve seen the boys and played at the Hive, so it’s good to be back in there.”
The last time Argentina were in town, Graham was in full flow. Having scored against New Zealand the week before, the Hawick-born flyer grabbed a hat-trick against Los Pumas. But having also featured in two matches on the summer tour of Argentina that year, which ended in a 2-1 series win for the hosts, he knows how dangerous today’s opponents can be.
“We went to Argentina on the summer tour that year, we beat them once and they beat us twice, we beat them here in the November, so it’s always very close, the Argentina games. And they’re always heated. That’s one thing I have taken away from Argentina games, because they’re such a passionate team. The individuals are world class. I enjoy playing Argentina, I do, but they’re a different team than they were three years ago when we last played them, so it’s going to be no easy game.
“It’s just about getting it right through the week. It’s just about getting on that same page, like ‘right, this is our goals. This is what we’re doing’ and then just getting the preparation right so that when we go into the game, we’re just flying.
“You look at, even myself, I don’t see myself as an experienced player, but I’m almost closing in with 50 caps. You look at Duhan, again, he’s racked his caps up. Blair Kinghorn’s over 50 caps. So this squad, it has huge experience in it now. So now for us, it’s about doing something with it. There’s no excuses now.”
50 up, then, for one of Scotland’s favourite contemporary rugby sons. Here’s to the next 50 – and plenty more memorable try-scoring moments in the years to come.
