Darcy Graham hailed the current Scotland squad “the best in a generation” and acknowledges there is a pressure on the team to deliver a major trophy.  

Scotland have not won a championship title since the 1999 Five Nations and have been dumped out of the past two Rugby World Cups at the pool stage.  

But Graham believes this squad has what it takes to end the long run without a trophy.  

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“I think we're in a really good spot,” the Edinburgh wing said.  

“The confidence is there. It is about putting it all together going into Six Nations - it's going to be massive.  

“The pressure is on us. It probably is one of the best Scotland teams in a generation. We need to win something. The pressure is on us but it's just exciting times ahead.” 

Asked what made him believe this was the best side in a generation, the winger replied: "I think it's the talent. The individuals. The whole squad.  

Darcy Graham celebrates reclaiming the Hopetoun Cup with back-three mates Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der MerweDarcy Graham celebrates reclaiming the Hopetoun Cup with back-three mates Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe (Image: SNS) “We've got world-class players everywhere. It's just about doing something with that." 

Gregor Townsend insisted Scotland’s best performance of the autumn came in the defeat to world champions South Africa, while captain Sione Tuipulotu said the Australia win was only a “six or seven out of ten” display from his side.  

Tuipulotu has been outstanding in his first campaign as Scotland captain and Graham believes removing that responsibility from Finn Russell’s shoulders has brought out the best in the fly-half.  

Sione Tuipulotu led from the front, scoring a try in the win over AustraliaSione Tuipulotu led from the front, scoring a try in the win over Australia (Image: SNS Group) The winger said: “It takes that pressure off Finn and now he can do his magic elsewhere.  

“Beforehand everything was having to go through Finn but now Sione's doing that so Finn's just playing his game. 

“ It's just making a huge difference along that back line. I don't like singling players out but I genuinely do think he's made a massive difference where the Scotland team has gone.” 

Scotland are back at Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the opening two rounds of the 2025 Six Nations, with Italy the visitors on the opening weekend before Ireland come calling in round two.  

Graham is looking forward to back-to-back home matches to kick off the campaign.  

“If you can win those first two, going into the third away would be massive,” he said.  

“It's just about keeping the boys fit. We want to be flying into that Six Nations, our full strength team.” 

The Hawick-born wing knows all about the struggle of staying fit having missed almost all of last season with a serious groin injury.  

He scored four tries on his Scotland return in the autumn opener against Fiji but missed the visit of South Africa due to a concussion.

Darcy Graham scored four tries against FijiDarcy Graham scored four tries against Fiji (Image: SNS)  He admitted it has been a “mixed bag” campaign and believes his best is still to come despite an all-action performance in the win over Australia.  

“It's been good to get back out there, get back in that 14 jersey. I was gutted to miss that South Africa game - you want to play the big teams.” 

Against Australia, the 27-year-old slipped behind Duhan van der Merwe in the race to become Scotland’s all-time top try scorer, but Graham insists there is no resentment seeing his Edinburgh colleague reclaim the record.  

He said: "The record's going to bounce back and forward. To see Duhi score is class. For me, I just want to win in a Scotland jersey.

"Records don't mean anything really. It's about winning and getting special wins, making special memories with the boys. If I can assist in tries, I'm happy with that. 

“It [the record] is going to go on for years to come. Hopefully, me and Duhi can take it into the 40s.” 

Darcy Graham hopes he and Duhan van der Merwe will be vying for the record for years to comeDarcy Graham hopes he and Duhan van der Merwe will be vying for the record for years to come (Image: SNS) The flyer insists there is more to come from him as he continues his injury comeback.  

“I probably wasn't back where I was in 2022. It's just about that confidence, getting back playing.  

He added: “It was nice to get back out there. The support has been unbelievable this November.  

“It's so special playing here. You forget how special it is. It's just nice getting back out there and playing some rugby."