Latest news with #DarcyGraham


Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
'GUTTED IT ENDED THE WAY IT DID ...' Stricken Darcy Graham admits his tour with British and Irish Lions is over
Darcy Graham has confirmed his British and Irish Lions tour is over after his tearful exit from the field in Melbourne this week. The Scotland winger had been elated to receive a late call-up by head coach Andy Farrell after missing out on the initial squad. However, his dream Lions debut turned sour just minutes after touching down for a try against a First Nations and Pasifika XV when he was forced to hobble off with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old, who was consoled by Scotland team-mate Finn Russell as he watched the rest of a 24-19 win from the bench, yesterday posted a message on Instagram admitting his Lions adventure has been cut cruelly short. '16 minutes I'll never forget,' he wrote. 'It's been a rollercoaster of a journey but it was a dream come true to pull on the famous red jersey and make my Lions debut. 'Gutted it ended the way it did, but so proud to have been part of this special group. Thank you for all the support. We try again in 4 years time...'. Edinburgh star Graham, who was later seen wearing a protective boot, has suffered a series of injuries in recent times and will be anxiously awaiting the results of a scan. Called up for the injured Mack Hansen, he will miss the final two Tests against Australia, with Farrell's men needing one more win to clinch the series after last weekend's opening victory. Farrell said after Graham's latest injury upset: 'He's devastated. He was so upset. You could see how much it meant to him hobbling off. He's got a Lions caps, he's played for the British and Irish Lions and scored a try. He'll remember that forever.'


Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Gutted' Darcy Graham issues Lions injury update with 'try again in 4 years' admission
Scotland winger crocked after 16 minutes of Lions debut Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Darcy Graham has indicated that his Lions tour is over after suffering an injury on his debut. The Edinburgh and Scotland winger is waiting for scan results after sustaining ankle ligament damage early in the match against First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graham produced a lively start and had already scored a try - his first in Lions colours - when he limped off the pitch in tears in the 16th minute at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. The 28-year-old was in some distress and was later seen wearing a protective boot. He was consoled by Scotland team-mate Finn Russell as he watched the remainder of the game from the bench as the Lions held on for a scrappy 24-19 victory. Darcy Graham walks back to the dressing room in a protective boot after picking up an ankle injury during his British & Irish Lions debut against First Nations & Pasifika. (Photo by) | Getty Images Posting on Instagram, Graham stated: "16 minutes I'll never forget. It's been a rollercoaster of a journey but it was a dream come true to pull on the famous red jersey and make my Lions debut. "Gutted it ended the way it did, but so proud to have been part of this special group. Thank you for all the support. We try again in 4 years time..." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graham has suffered a string of serious injuries in recent seasons and his club, Edinburgh, will be braced for news of the scan ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season beginning in September. A late call-up to the Lions squad from Scotland's tour of New Zealand as cover for the injured Mack Hansen, Graham will now miss the final two Test matches against Australia. The Lions take on the Wallabies this Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground knowing a win will clinch the three-match series. 'So upsetting for Darcy Graham,' said Lions head coach Andy Farrell. 'It showed how much it meant to him. He has a Lions cap and scored a try and he'll remember that forever.' Getty Images Possible changes for second Test Joe McCarthy is the chief injury concern for Farrell heading into the second Test. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McCarthy limped off in the 27-19 triumph over the Wallabies in the first Test with the foot condition plantar fasciitis and has been unable to train since, making him a major doubt to be involved in the rematch. With Thursday's training session before Farrell names his team being the final opportunity to prove his fitness, the Ireland enforcer looks likely to miss out. Potentially signposting an adjustment to the pack to face Australia in the second Test, James Ryan and Jac Morgan were replaced early in the second half of Tuesday's 24-19 victory over the First Nations and Pasifika XV. If McCarthy is ruled out, Ollie Chessum could be drafted into the second row alongside captain Maro Itoje, creating a vacancy on the bench, while another option is to move Tadhg Beirne from flanker to lock. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Should repositioning Beirne be Farrell's preferred choice, Morgan becomes a contender to make the matchday 23. Given the Lions bullied the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium, unenforced changes to the pack are unlikely. Farrell could shake up his back-three, however, after wings James Lowe and Tommy Freeman struggled to make an impact in the series opener. Lowe in particular struggled with the poor finishing which has been a feature of his tour apparent again. Of the four possible options to step in, Graham and Hansen are injured and Duhan van der Merwe has been repeatedly exposed in defence, with only the fourth offering Farrell room for manoeuvre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ace up Farrell's sleeve is Blair Kinghorn, who made his comeback from a knee injury on Tuesday and apart from throwing two intercept passes, proved himself ready for Test duty. Nominally a full-back, he is also a high quality option on the wing, the position he has filled most recently for his club Toulouse this season. Owen Farrell showed he is ready for a call-up to the bench in Melbourne if needed with a solid 80 minutes against FNP, Marcus Smith passed a head injury assessment and Garry Ringrose made a successful first appearance since being concussed against ACT Brumbies. In the midst of a schedule of three games in eight days, players have been given Wednesday off, but Farrell and his coaching assistants are to meet to finalise selection. 'I let everyone have their say, I play devil's advocate, we thrash it out and then we all agree,' Farrell said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There is all sorts that goes into it – performances, there's no doubt about that – but there is also what's right for this second game? Are a few changes going to freshen it up or do we go with the same guys?


BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
How does it feel to have Lions tour cut short by injury?
"There's nothing worse than leaving a tour midway through it."Former Scotland centre Scott Hastings who knows how it feels to have a British and Irish Lions tour cut short by injury.A serious facial injury ended the 60-year-old's tour back in 1993, and he watched countryman Darcy Graham go through the same pain on Scotland winger scored an early try on his Lions debut in the win over First Nations and Pasifika, but he went off injured not long after and looked emotional as he left the field and has now confirmed his tour is to that blow, and reflecting on his own experience, Hastings told BBC Scotland: "It looked as though he'd really done his ankle ligaments badly and I think he knew he was resigned to leaving the tour. "It's what happened to me in 1993, I broke my cheekbone, double hairline fracture on my jaw. "There's nothing worse than leaving a tour midway through it. You want to represent the best. He got his chance, he scored a try, and now he'll be absolutely gutted."On the performances of Graham's Scotland team-mates in the 24-19 victory, Hastings added: "On a positive note, Blair Kinghorn played reasonably well and Gregor Brown came off the bench to win a Lions badge of honour."It was great to see Duhan van der Merwe score a try as well. The Scots have done pretty well on this tour and Scott Cummings had a great game in the second row. "He may well force himself into that matchday 23 for the second Test match."


BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Graham 'gutted' his 'rollercoaster' Lions journey cut short
"Gutted" Darcy Graham has confirmed his British and Irish Lions involvement has been brought to an abrupt end by the ankle injury he sustained just 17 minutes into his debut against the First Nations and Pasifika Scotland winger was a late call-up to Andy Farrell's squad and stated on Monday his plans to "stay until the end" and work for a Test cap after being named as a starter on case was strengthened with an early try on his debut in Melbourne, where he showcased his burst of speed, but just minutes after crossing the white line, the Edinburgh wing exited the field in tears. By full-time, he was sporting a medical has now taken to social media to confirm his - and many fans' - fears that the ligament damage has ruled him out of the remainder of the 28-year-old said it was "16 minutes he'll never forget" and that he will "try again in four years time".

The 42
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Ringrose shows class on Lions return in front of his family
THERE'S A BIT of a Ringrose reunion going on in Melbourne. Lions centre Garry's wife and young son have flown in to follow his efforts in Australia, as have his parents and two brothers. Throw in the fact that his aunt and cousins live in Melbourne and Ringrose is not shy of support. They would all have been delighted to see the 30-year-old make such an impressive return from head injury in the Lions' hard-fought win over the First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium tonight. 'The effort that they make to come to the other side of the world, you want to do them proud,' said Ringrose. Ringrose missed last weekend's first Test against the Wallabies because of that concussion but he is firmly back in the mix for the second Test on Saturday, having played more than 60 minutes off the bench against the First Nations & Pasifika XV. Speaking post-match, Ringrose was a happy man. But, as is his way, he firstly stressed how gutted he was for Scotland wing Darcy Graham having to limp off injured so soon after scoring a try on his Lions debut. Jamie Osborne shifted to the wing and Ringrose came on earlier than expected. He did his Test chances no harm with a razor-sharp performance alongside the equally impressive captain Owen Farrell. 'It was actually pretty cool to get a chance to play with Owen, someone I would have admired for my whole career,' said Ringrose. Advertisement Ringrose consoles the injured Darcy Graham. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The Irishman said it was hard to pick out just one thing that impressed him about Farrell. 'From the off, his leadership in the week. It was a challenging turnaround from the first Test, then you're travelling, then your captain's run. He didn't miss a beat in terms of that leadership and bringing players with him. Even the guys coming in, the challenge of new guys into the environment, and getting guys up to speed, he was leading that. 'When he talks, everyone listens. What he's saying is the right pitch and hits the spot every time, and I could feel it out there as well. That's not even talking about the rugby side of things. His ability at the line because he's that kind of 10/12, physicality at the line when it's needed. What else? His work rate for Duhan's try. 'The work rate to take the ball to the far edge, then off the ball his work rate to then be the link player for Duhan to score on the other edge. In big moments, he's someone who consistently delivers and he delivered today.' Ringrose delivered too. He was seen as being in the driving seat for the Test number 13 shirt before his concussion. Scotland's Huw Jones was good in that jersey last Saturday, but Andy Farrell must be heavily tempted to go with Ringrose this weekend. He said the second Test selection hasn't caused him any sleepless nights, although he obviously hopes he has done enough. 'Ah yeah, but it's the team first,' said Ringrose. 'Wherever I fit in to help the team win, I'll be all in on that. Yeah, happy out with the win today and then it's kind of a cool challenge in that it's a Test game in a few days and it's all hands on deck from tomorrow morning really.' Ringrose with Jamie Osborne. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO The Lions have a day off tomorrow and while Ringrose said he will get some family time in, he will also be on the laptop reviewing his game and thinking ahead to the next challenge against the Wallabies. With Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Ringrose, Jones, Farrell, and now Osborne all capable of playing in the midfield, the Lions aren't short of options. Ringrose was delighted to see Osborne scoring two tries on his Lions debut tonight. 'It doesn't surprise me,' said Ringrose. 'Lucky enough to train with him, especially before he even made his Leinster debut. 'You're training with him for a year or two, and you could just see he's got something. So absolutely delighted for him and his family as well. Called in late from Irish camp and then to fit in, it just doesn't surprise me.' And it wouldn't be any great surprise if Ringrose has a part to play this Saturday.