Raring to go – Darcy Graham

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Scotland’s Darcy Graham in action during the national anthem during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 02, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

“I almost thought I had a Six Nations curse!”, said the winger.

“Missing the last two in a row just through injury was a frustrating time but getting here now, it feels massive, it’s going to be a huge year so it’s exciting to be back with the guys.”

For Graham, donning the famous dark blue jersey is more than just a privilege; it’s the culmination of a childhood dream. Whilst a potential milestone of 50 caps looms ever near, his focus is on the collective success of Scotland.

“My motivation has always been to play for Scotland, since I was a wee boy it’s all I’ve ever wanted and that’s still my motivation to this day. I will never take any game for granted because you never know what’s round the corner, so I just want to continue enjoying every moment I get here. I want to make sure I live in the moment, don’t look too far ahead into the future and enjoy the present.

“I think when you win your first cap you just want more after that, you want to keep chasing it. I think the big one was to match my uncle [Scott McLeod], he was on 24 so I always wanted to either match him or beat him. It would be a dream come true to get to 50 though and something so special.”

And how about the men’s all-time try record? Although he or Duhan van der Merwe adding to their tallies in the opening weekend win over Italy, it’s a story that is never far from Scottish fans’ minds.

“I don’t ever think about the try record now!”, laughed Graham.

“When Duhi [van der Merwe] and I got close to the record in 2019 we were like ‘okay, let’s catch this, let’s go’ but now it’s just the two of us going out there and having some fun. If it’s us that’s on the end of the try then great, but for me it’s always going to be team first. Everything I do has to be centred around putting Scotland first, it’s not about me. We as a group want to go out there and win something now.

Double trouble: Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Australia at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in November 2024.

“There’s a real belief in this group that we can go out there and win something and that for me is my main goal. I’m not fussed about personal records. I’ll be gutted if I go my whole career and I don’t win anything. Especially when I look at the success of Glasgow Warriors last season or Blair [Kinghorn] and what he’s achieved in the Top 14, it looks awesome. My next goal is winning something big, and I hope I do that with Scotland.”

With a 31-19 win in their opener against the Italians at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last Saturday, the steam’s ambition is certainly matched by the level of intense competition across the board.

“I think what the players are producing on the pitch – and that’s across the six teams – it’s just so good. No game is easy for anyone. If you look at Italy, they can beat any team now. I think years gone past you’d have assumed that might be an easier game but now it’s just so competitive, anyone can beat anyone. I think that’s one of the big things that’s driving this competition.

“It’s the same for Scotland, I think people are excited to see us and back us because of what we produce on the pitch. It’s not like the years gone past where Scotland were just getting a penalty and grabbing three points here and there, we’re out here scoring tries, and really good ones too. I think we’re exciting to watch, our brand of running rugby, it’s all down to the coaches and the players and the work we put in.”

With the sternest of tests to come this Sunday against defending Guinness Six Nation champions Ireland, that exciting brand of attacking rugby will hopefully reap more tries for the hosts – and you feel Darcy Graham isn’t fussed who gets the plaudits in doing so.

Pictured: Darcy breaks clear before offloading to Huw Jones for Scotland’s fourth try during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, 1 February 01, 2025.