'I'm not a wee boy any more. I've got plenty of caps' - Darcy Graham

Darcy Graham admits he now views himself as a senior player at Edinburgh. The wing only turned 24 earlier this year but given the number of games he has played and the fact he is now an established member of the Scotland set-up, he feels he needs to lead by example and help the younger players at the club.

Graham said: “I need to step up and be a leader. I’m a senior player, I’m not a wee boy any more. I’ve got plenty of caps under my belt so I need to step up and help the young boys, especially the ones in my position.

“I’m always here for questions. They can always come to me. I’m not a big talker. I’m more a doer. I’m not going to stand and tell people what to do, but I’m always here if anyone wants to talk to me. I’m quite an easy person to talk to.”

Graham is encouraged by the manner in which Edinburgh have coped with the departure of influential South African wing Duhan van der Merwe to Worcester Warriors in the summer.

He said: “Duhan was a big loss. He played absolutely amazing in the four years he was here, but it’s professional sport – boys come and go. You move on pretty quickly. We’ve recruited well in the back three and we’re looking absolutely sharp and electric in there.”

Edinburgh lost away to Benetton in the United Rugby Championship last Saturday but memories of the opening-weekend win over Scarlets at their new DAM Health Stadium are still fuelling Graham ahead of this Saturday’s home match against South African side Stormers.

He said: “I can’t wait for our home games. I don’t want to play any away games because our first home game was absolutely bouncing. It was so electric. The fans were on fire. They’re so close to the pitch that it makes it very exciting to come and play at home. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there.

“It’s very exciting to play a South African team. It’s new opposition, something different to deal with. They’ve got some rapid boys and they play a very expansive game so the backs will have to be on our game.

“They’ve had a tough start to the campaign. It’s difficult for them coming into our conditions but it will be interesting to see how it turns when they get their home games. We’re looking forward to playing them here and then getting over to South Africa for a few weeks.”