Graham switches allegiance back to Scotland

FALCONS STAR CALLED UP BY ENGLAND EARLIER THIS YEAR PICKED BY TOWNSEND

SCOTLAND head coach Gregor Townsend has called up Englandqualified Gary Graham to his squad for the remaining autumn Tests.

The 26-year-old Newcastle Falcons back-row, who had previously pledged his allegiance to England, was born in Stirling and is a former Scotland Under-20 international.

Graham, the son of ex-Scotland prop and forwards coach George Graham, moved to Carlisle at the age of three.

But he returned to Scotland aged 17, when he represented Gala RFC, before joining Jersey in 2015 and the Falcons two years later.

He was an unused member of England’s 2018 Six Nations squad, earning a call-up on residency grounds, but Townsend was pleased to add him to his Scotland group as an injury replacement for Blade Thomson – who played for New Zealand at youth level.

The Falcons forward could feature against South Africa on Saturday, and Townsend (pictured right) said: “It was great to hear from Gary that he wanted to commit to Scotland.

“It has become a competitive environment for dual-qualified players recently and we know that these are not easy decisions for players.

“We’ve been tracking Gary since he was at Jersey and his form over the past 12 months at Newcastle has moved him closer to playing international rugby. We look forward to welcoming him into our squad for this week’s camp.” Graham insisted that he had always wanted to wear the dark blue at senior level.

He said: “I’m Scottish through-and-through but England asked me first as I’m eligible through residency.

“It would have been a silly opportunity to pass up, as I hadn’t been selected for a Scotland squad since U20s.

“I’m absolutely 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. It’s where I’m from and where I played most of my rugby.”

Scarlets flanker Thomson sustained a concussion in his club’s defeat to Edinburgh on November 2 at BT Murrayfield and has remained in the care of his club’s medical team. Scotland beat Fiji 54-17 at Murrayfield at the weekend and are currently seventh in the world rankings.

But under Townsend and his predecessor Vern Cotter, the Scots have made real progress, finishing this year’s Six Nations, tied with Wales for second place and beating England at Murrayfield.

I’m Scottish through- and-through but England asked me first as I’m eligible through residency. It would have been a silly opportunity to pass up Gary Graham