Graham but expects a few ‘gags’ about his call-up

played against him when he was playing for Gala and I was playing for Heriot’s when I’d just joined Edinburgh.

“It will be good to get to know him. He most likely deserves to be here if he’s been selected. I’m sure there will be a few gags about it.”

Openside Graham’s decision to join up with the squad has implications for Ritchie, of course, who has started in the back row in the past two Scotland Tests, scoring a try on his home debut in the weekend’s 54-17 thrashing of Fiji. “Yes but hopefully that competition makes you a better player,” was Ritchie’s equally diplomatic response.

The Edinburgh 22-year-old was much happier to reflect on his dream day at BT Murrayfield as he dived over from close range to join Adam Hastings in marking a first home Test with a try. “Obviously I’m delighted. Murrayfield was amazing,” he said. “It’s something I’ve dreamt of since I was a kid. To be able to experience that was unbelievable. “To get a wee try, from 50 metres out I think it was… was great! It’s hard to put it into words.” Ritchie, pictured, swapped flanks on the scrum at the weekend but is still adamant he doesn’t want to Two sports collided at the Oriam yesterday ahead of a big week for Scotland’s national football and rugby sides. With the footballers preparing for Saturday’s vital Nations League clash in Albania and the rugby team getting ready to host South Africa at BT Murrayfield the same day, the squads took some time out from their preparations at the performance centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh to chew the fat over dinner. The respective managers – Alex Mcleish and Gregor Townsend – and captains – Andrew Robertson and Greig Laidlaw – were all smiles as they posed for photographs. be pigeon-holed as an open or blindside. “It was actually funny, because the only thing that changed in my role in the game from Wales to Fiji was the number on my back,” he explained.

“In terms of in the lineout and all the moves that we ran, none of my moves actually changed.

“I try and do similar things whether I’m playing 6 or 7.

“So out-and-out 7? I don’t know. A good back-rower, hopefully.”