I would love to take on the Scots and shove it in their faces I’m delighted to get Scots call.. it’s what I always wanted

JANUARY: NOVEMBER:

GARY GRAHAM has ended his Highland fling with England and returned to his first rugby love.

Less than a year after accepting an invitation to join Eddie Jones’ squad, the Newcastle flanker has reverted to Scotland, the country of his birth.

“I’m Scottish through and through,” said the 26-year-old, called into the squad by Gregor Townsend to face South Africa this Saturday.

“England asked me first as I’m eligible through residency and it would have been a silly opportunity to pass up, as I hadn’t been selected for a Scotland squad since U20s. “But I’m delighted to get this opportunity. I phoned Gregor to assure him I wanted to play for Scotland and always wanted to play for my country.” Graham took part in an England training camp before being named in Jones’ 2018 Six Nations squad (right), only for injury to deny him a cap.

His U-turn will delight dad George, capped 25 times at prop by Scotland, who had said of his son’s England call-up: “You’re a f***ing turncoat – but I’m proud of you.” In the same interview Gary was quoted as saying: “I’d f***ing love to play against Scotland, make 1,000 tackles and shove it in their face.” Since then, the form of fellow

Falcon Mark

Wilson and Brad Shields being parachuted in from New Zealand intensified competition.

Both are in contention to pick up a £25,000 match fee on Saturday against Japan, whose players are on a daily tour allowance of just £13.66. “Our home-based guys are amateur, employees of companies and getting 2000 Yen a day,” said coach Jamie Joseph. “The foreigners in our team don’t get paid. We have different motivators. We just want to leave our footprint behind.”