‘World class talent’ Graham signs new long-term deal on Christmas Day

• 25 Dec 2023
• News

Scotland star Darcy Graham has given every Edinburgh Rugby fan the perfect gift this Christmas, signing a new three-year deal to remain in the Scottish capital.

The electric winger, 26 – who joined the capital club in 2017 – has developed into one of world rugby’s premier finishers and open-field runners, with a highlight reel of outrageous line breaks and tries for both club and country making him one of the game’s most sought-after talents.

Graham’s new deal – that will see him remain in Edinburgh until Rugby World Cup 2027 – is a real statement of intent from the capital outfit, who retain the services of a player that Senior Coach Sean Everitt has labelled a ‘world class talent.’

Everitt said: “Make no bones about it, Darcy [Graham] is box office. He’s a world class talent who can change a game at the drop of a hat. We’ve seen that for both Edinburgh and Scotland through the years – it’s brilliant that we’ve managed to re-sign him on a new long-term deal.

“Darcy is a guy who just loves to play the game of rugby and I think that being here in Edinburgh, surrounded by his teammates, friends and family, suits him to a tee.

“This is his boyhood club where he has made his name and the Edinburgh supporters absolutely love him – you only have to hear their reaction every time he scores at home.

“It’s hugely exciting for both club and country that Darcy has decided his future remains in Edinburgh, and I’m sure our fans will be celebrating this news on Christmas day.”

On penning a new deal, Graham said: “I’m hugely excited. It’s been my boyhood dream to play for Edinburgh. I grew up an hour down the road, joined straight from U20s and I’ve been here a good while now – I’m delighted to be staying for another three years.

“I did have other offers, but this is home, and after speaking with Sean [Everitt] he really sold me on his plans for the club. That got me excited and I’m keen to be part of what we’re building here in Edinburgh.

He continued: “I think Sean and I are pretty similar. He knows what he wants. I know what I want. He keeps it nice and simple, just go out and play rugby and that’s exactly what I’m all about. We sometimes make rugby too confusing. I feel like I can play the type of game that I enjoy under Sean.”

A Hawick man through-and-through, Graham joined the club’s academy from Hawick RFC, where he was able to develop his playmaking abilities as 17-year-old playing senior rugby at Mansfield Park.

Graham made his professional debut for Edinburgh against London Irish in December 2017, capping off an impressive outing on the wing with an acrobatic finish in the Scottish Gas Murrayfield corner – one of seven appearances in his first season in the capital.

Graham would see game time on the World Rugby 7s circuit with Scotland – further developing his strong running game – before returning to the Scottish capital for a breakout 2018/19 campaign which saw him score seven tries in 19 appearances.

The winger’s memorable back-to-back tries in Champions Cup victories over RC Toulon and Montpellier helped Edinburgh qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, further enhancing his reputation on the world stage and solidifying his status as a fan favourite.

Graham continued: “I’ve been at the club seven years now and I look at a lot of my teammates as my brothers. I spend so much time with these guys, a lot I’ve known since U20s, and it really does feel like a big family at Edinburgh.

“Being part of this back-three at Edinburgh is incredible. We’ve got so much competition with myself, Duhan [van der Merwe], Boff [Emiliano Boffelli], Wes [Goosen] and with Harry Paterson coming through it keeps us on our toes. It really is up there with one of the best back-three groups in club rugby.”

Graham made his full Scotland debut in 2018, coming off the bench in the 2018 Doddie Weir Cup game against Wales in Cardiff.

He then went on to feature in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, scoring three tries including a now-famous double in that scintillating Twickenham Calcutta Cup draw.

Graham was selected for his first Rugby World Cup in 2019 – playing in all four of Scotland’s group stage matches in Japan – and contributed to landmark away wins in Wales (2020) and then France in 2021.

Graham was selected for his second Rugby World Cup this past summer in France, where four tries in a victory over Romania moved him up to second-place in Scotland’s all-time try-scoring record [24 tries in 39 appearances], with the winger now only three scores behind fellow Hawick man Stuart Hogg [27 tries].

Graham started the current campaign with a knee/hip injury, and made his return to fitness in the recent EPCR Challenge Cup victory over Castres Olympique at Hive Stadium, where he received a raucous reception from the capital faithful.

The winger continued: “I really love playing at home, it feels like such a special occasion now. We’ve moved out of Murrayfield and made Hive Stadium our home. We’ve built a proper atmosphere and matchday experience.

“We have also made Hive Stadium a fortress and it’s a tough place to come now. Long may that continue.

He continued: “It’s my ambition to win silverware with Edinburgh. I’d be gutted if I went my whole career here and didn’t win anything with this club and group of players.

“I genuinely feel like this group can win something and that was also a factor in wanting to stay in Edinburgh. We’ve got the talent, a great new home, it’s now about backing it up week on week.”