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Darcy Graham might be short in stature but he continues to make a big impression.
Supporters walking around the Murrayfield concourse ahead of Scotland’s opening autumn international Test against the United States on Saturday won’t fail to spot the gigantic posters adorning the outside of the stadium, many of which feature Graham’s likeness.
That speaks volumes both for the winger’s enduring popularity as a rapid, try-scoring machine but also his suitability as a role model given his likeable, easy-going manner.
It is hard to recall anyone ever having a bad word to say about ‘wee Darcy’ who barely reaches 5ft9 on his tiptoes but who counters that with the bravery and tenacity of much bigger men.
Finn Russell may be the superstar of this Scotland squad but Graham remains the local favourite.
One fan taking a stadium tour last week could scarcely believe his eyes at the sight of the Edinburgh winger making his way up the Murrayfield tunnel, the player happy to stop for a quick selfie, an instant memory made. Being high-profile must be a burden as much of a blessing at times but Graham is not one to grumble.
Darcy Graham was helping to promote The Famous Grouse celebrating 35 years of sponsoring Scottish Rugby with the release of a limited-edition bottle ‘Time to Celebrate’
Darcy Graham has been a try-scoring machine for both club and country...
And 28-year-old winger Graham has become a firm favourite with both Scotland and Edinburgh fans
‘Yeah, that happens a fair bit,’ says the Hawick-born back. ‘Especially around Edinburgh. When it’s Six Nations time or around the November Tests, you do get recognised a lot more. But it’s cool. I’ve got a lot of time for the fans.
'Without them, it’s not the same. You saw that during Covid. It was horrible playing in empty stadiums. It’s the fans that actually make the experience.’
And what does he make of seeing himself on a giant poster? ‘As soon as I saw it, I took a photo and sent it to my mum and dad. It’s a cool feeling but it is weird seeing yourself like that.’
It is seven years now since Graham made his Scotland debut against Wales, having risen to prominence with local club Hawick and then Edinburgh.
The 28-year-old has gone on to become a regular pick for the national team whenever available and, all being well, will earn his 50th cap against Argentina in the third game of this series. It is a significant milestone and one that he is eagerly looking forward to chalking up.
‘Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted was one cap,’ he admits. ‘Once I got that one cap, it was always then about just chasing the next one. And then when it started getting closer, I was thinking it would be cool to get 50. So, it would be awesome to get that during these November Tests.
Graham showed his electric pace and finish skills for the Lions during the summer
However, Graham had no sooner touched down before suffering a tour-ending injury
‘It would be special to do at home. That’s one thing I’d love to do. In front of the home crowd, in front of the fans.’
Graham would undoubtedly have reached the landmark far quicker had he not been regularly burdened by injury. It is an occupational hazard for a winger who never shies away from a challenge and who, at times, is perhaps too brave for his own good.
In his most recent outing for Edinburgh, he went down in the first half with what looked like a serious knee injury but somehow found a way to soldier one, completing the match and scoring two tries.
‘It’s just the way I play,’ he shrugs. ‘I put my body on the line. I don’t look back at injuries and I don’t grudge any of them. I could easily stand on my wing and not go looking for the ball. But I always want to get stuck in as much as I can. Obviously, the more times I touch the ball, the more times that risk goes up.
‘But that’s me. There are times I’ve been in games and I’m like, “Right, I’m just going to take this one a wee bit easier” but I end up playing the best game of my life and touching the ball so many times. I just can’t help myself. That’s my personality. I want the ball and I want to run with it.’
Graham comes across as such a good-spirited character on and off the field, a smile permanently on his face. But recovering from injury can test the spirit of even this most positive of figures.
‘They’ve all been challenging rehabs,’ he concedes. ‘But I’m a realistic person. In rugby, the highs are high and they’re incredible. But the lows are low. It’s a tough place to be. Just being with family is a massive help. And then just taking a day at a time doing the rehab, not trying to rush back.
‘I’ve had some bad injuries but I’ve always come back fired up and feeling ready. Being injured sometimes is a good thing because you get that hunger back, deep inside you, that fight. By the time I’m back, I’ve missed it. So, sometimes it almost works in your favour. Once you get back out there and play, that desire comes back very quickly.’
Darcy Graham was helping to promote The Famous Grouse celebrating 35 years of sponsoring Scottish Rugby with the release of a limited-edition bottle ‘Time to Celebrate’ in time with the 2025 Quilter Nations Series. The commemorative bottle, along with tickets to an upcoming game, can be won in a prize draw via The Famous Grouse’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheFamousGrouseUK)
A subplot heading into this series will be the ongoing duel for all-time Scotland try-scoring supremacy between Graham and Duhan van der Merwe who currently leads by one. The pair could scarcely be more different in terms of physique and style of play but Graham reveals there is a bond, rather than a rivalry, on and off the field.
‘We don’t really talk about the record,’ he insists.. ‘I think me and Duhey were both just trying to chase Stuart Hogg and get past him. And now we’ve done that, I’m not really thinking about it, I’m just going to have fun.
‘Duhey and I joined Edinburgh at the same time and both slipped into our roles. He loved playing left wing, so he had that, and I took the right. We work quite closely together. We’re quite brutal and can be honest with each other. I don’t think we would be where we are today without each other. We’ve taught each other a lot, we’ve learned from each other, so Duhey’s been a big part of my career.’
And do they have any common interests away from the rugby pitch? ‘Just nightlife, being with the boys. We enjoy that social side and having fun.’
There is never a shortage of that whenever Graham is around.
