Darcy Graham part of the ‘big picture’ with Scotland despite his return to Edinburgh

Mike Blair has welcomed the return of Darcy Graham to Edinburgh for Saturday’s game against Ospreys but still expects the winger to be a key part of Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.

Graham trained with the national side this week but will start the United Rugby Championship match in Swansea.

Scotland host England in the Calcutta Cup next weekend and it was felt Graham would benefit from more game-time ahead of the Murrayfield clash.

“Darcy was due to play in the Saracens game [before Christmas] but he picked up a knock before that, so that put him out,” said Blair. “Then the two Glasgow games were canned as well. So he’s really only played the game last week [against Brive].

“I thought he did really well. I would have thought he’s definitely going to be in that big picture with Scotland, so we’re absolutely delighted to get him back to get him some game time. He’s had a great energy about it and he brings that out in the other players as well.”

Magnus Bradbury has also returned from the international camp to play for Edinburgh, while two other Scotland squad members, Mark Bennett and Ben Vellacott, will be on the bench. Blair Kinghorn, Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Nick Haining are not involved. Haining has a shoulder injury but should be fit within a few days.

With 13 Edinburgh players called up for the Six Nations, Blair knows his team selections during the next few weeks will be shaped by the needs of Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

Having worked with the national side as Townsend’s assistant Blair knows how these things work and appreciates he may have to be nimble.

“You kind of know the job you’re in, and for the next couple of months we might not hear