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The Scotland verdict on having Darcy Graham back in the Test mix
By PA
Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy is relishing the prospect of seeing talismanic wing Darcy Graham return to the international arena for the first time in 13 months in Saturday’s Murrayfield Test against Fiji. The 27-year-old has been hindered by a spate of injuries in recent seasons and has been restricted to just five appearances for his country since the end of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
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He has not played for Scotland since the Rugby World Cup defeat by Ireland in Paris in October last year. However, after starting five of Edinburgh’s first six United Rugby Championship matches this term, Graham – joint third in Scotland’s all-time try-scoring list with 24 – is now back in the mix to add to his 39 caps this autumn.
“It’s awesome to see him back, seeing him bubbly and smiling coming in today was great,” said Tandy on Tuesday. “He is starting to hit his straps at Edinburgh as well, the last game he played (against Cardiff) he was outstanding. It’s exciting to be have him back in. All the strength and conditioning people and the medics will assess him, but he is looking great.
“As a coach, you get really frustrated for the player when they are out. We definitely miss a world-class winger like Darcy but then you feel for them as well because they’ve got to go through all that. On the flipside, it provides opportunity and that is where Kyle Steyn has come in and done a great job, and Kyle Rowe and Arron Reed.
“Someone missing out creates another opportunity for someone else and hopefully that thickens us up going down the track and increases the squad depth that we want – but you always miss a world-class winger like Darcy, you miss the personality as well in the environment, he is class.”
Graham is one of several members of Scotland’s squad for the autumn Tests who have been part of an Edinburgh side struggling for form in the URC, with four defeats in their first six matches. Tandy has no concerns, however, about their ability to perform for the national team as they prepare to host Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia over the next month.
“They had a couple of wins before that (losing to Ospreys at the weekend), so the boys just get excited to come back into camp,” said Tandy. “It is not a fresh start as such, but everyone’s energised to see each other and get a group back together so I don’t have any concern around that.
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“Obviously the Glasgow boys fly in great, coming off the back of their win (over Stormers) – and it does probably help your recovery a little bit, winning games – but the Edinburgh boys, I can’t see any issue with them. They are just excited to be back and can’t wait for Saturday.”
