Townsend keen to see Graham and Hogg team up

As Hawick Rugby Club honour their talented local duo tomorrow at a “Lunch with Stuart Hogg and Darcy Graham” in the Mansfield Park clubrooms, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is excited by the prospect of seeing the pair playing together for the national team.

When Edinburgh’s Graham, 21, won his first four caps this season Hogg, 26, who is bound for Exeter Chiefs, had been injured, but they could team up in the four summer World Cup warm- up Tests or at the main event in Japan starting in September.

“It is exciting for everyone in Scottish rugby that Stuart and Darcy haven’t been on the field together for the national team as yet,” Townsend said. “But the way that Darcy has been playing of late he is in the mix to play alongside Stuart one day. That would be great for Hawick if it happens and pretty worrying for the opposition.”

Townsend remembers first seeing Hogg play around a decade ago. “I saw Stuart in the Gala Sevens when he was 16 or 17 and what struck me most was how quick and confident he was for one so young,” he said. “He was clearly a special talent. His passing and kicking and speed were huge strengths.

“Then he scored some tries for Glasgow against Munster and then scored a world- class effort for Scotland ‘ A’ against England at Netherdale. It was clear that he was going to be an internationalist at quite a young age.”

On Graham, pictured, Townsend added: “Darcy’s rise has happened mainly in the last season.

“Chris Paterson always used to rave about him and when I saw him with the Scotland under- 20s what struck me was his ability to break tackles and to play above his size.

“The Scotland Sevens experience was really good for him. He then grabbed his opportunity to make a debut against Wales last November and has since gone on to perform well against France, Wales again and England.”