Darcy Graham can’t even bring himself to think about fulfilling his dream of running out at Murrayfield, but the livewire wing is ready for his first start if it comes against Wales.
The 22-year-old has two replacement appearances against Wales last November and against France two weeks ago, when he brought energy and dynamism to the Scots late in the game, and he’s now being tipped for one of the wing slots on Saturday as Gregor Townsend looks to experiment a little.
But he’s keeping his feet on the ground – at least off the pitch.
“I don’t have a clue if I’m starting, to be honest,” he said. “I have just enjoyed being involved, loving my time here, going out and showing what I can do in training, while playing for Edinburgh.
“Sean (Maitland) and Tommy (Seymour) are both world-class players and, to go up against them, I mean I’ve watched them playing for years; now to go up against them, fighting for a spot, it’s quite breath-taking.”
But he feels close to getting the start and the chance to run out at the national stadium as one of the starters.
“It has been frustrating waiting, but I’m young enough, I’ve got plenty of time. I just have to keep ticking over, learning all the time. And when I get my opportunity, hopefully I know what I’m doing.
“Playing at Murrayfield for Scotland is the next step for me, I have always dreamed of it and singing the national anthem there. It would be very special.”
Graham may be of smaller stature compared to the big Welsh wings George North and Josh Adams, and can surely expect an aerial bombardment if he does play, but he feels well prepared and has an ideal Welsh role model.
“Shane Williams was kind of like my sporting hero, with his size, and still being an amazing rugby player,” he said. “‘I’ve got huge admiration for what he did. He was world-class and, if he’d been bigger, he would have been better!
“But size is nothing for me. I run like I’m 100 kilos, I don’t think about who I’m running at – I’ll just do it and then think after.”
As for the aerial shots, Graham’s had the best preparation possible as Edinburgh play the kicking game and he’s a key part of it.
“It has a huge work-on through the year,” he said. “I am not the biggest so it is about generating that power to get up as high as possible, getting your hands up as well. It has been a huge work on the last couple of seasons for me.
“We do it at Edinburgh and it is working for us. All the boys have bought into that principle in the game and the kick chase has been really good for us.”
