The heartbroken tourist only joined up with Andy Farrell’s squad last week
British & Irish Lions star Darcy Graham was left in tears as he was forced off injured after just 15 minutes against the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
The Scotland international was only called into the squad last week to provide cover for the midweek fixture in Melbourne, and made his debut for the tourists after being named in the starting line-up. Graham made an immediate impact as he crossed for a try with 11 minutes on the clock after fellow debutant Jamie Osborne had opened the scoring at the Marvel Stadium.
However, his special evening was sadly to be short-lived as he looked to be struggling with an injury knock just moments after scoring his debut try. You can follow live updates from the game here.
Minutes later, the Scottish back was down and receiving treatment from the physios, who heavily taped up his ankle before allowing him to return to the action.
But while he tried to soldier on, Graham soon realised he was unable to continue and made way for Ireland international Garry Ringrose after being on the field for just over quarter of an hour.
The 28-year-old was in tears as he left the pitch and sat down on the sidelines, burying his face in a tracksuit jacket as the disappointment hit home while staff and players consoled him.
As Graham trudged off, his team-mates Finn Russell and Ellis Genge immediately left the stands to go down to the side of the pitch and comfort the Scotsman. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
While the extent of the injury remains unknown, his heartbroken reaction suggests it is serious enough to place his involvement on the rest of the tour in doubt.
Will Greenwood, on punditry duty for Sky Sports, certainly believes Graham will now have no further part to play on the field, saying simply: “His tour is over.”
It is a heartbreaking twist of fate for Graham, who spoke just yesterday of his excitement to be part of the Lions squad and his determination to make it through to the end of the tour.
“Absolutely delighted to be here now,” he said. “Looking back over the last two months, it’s been a pretty emotional rollercoaster.
“Obviously, I was really disappointed not to be in the initial squad, but to be part of now, I’m absolutely buzzing. And to see the cap ceremony we had a couple of days ago and the boys here getting presented with the caps and the jersey, it made me realise how much I wanted to play for the Lions, and I’m absolutely buzzing to get that opportunity tomorrow.”
Asked if he was looking forward to taking his opportunity against the First Nations & Pasifika XV, Graham added: “A hundred per cent. Honestly, so excited.
“Mum and Dad are out now. They flew out and landed yesterday, so they’re absolutely delighted to be here, I am buzzing they are here as well. It’s a massive honour for them as well.
“They didn’t [have to change holiday plans]. They got a direct flight straight here, so it was a bit easier for them.”
“One of my goals now is to stay out [until the end of the tour],” he continued. “This whole week, I’ve loved it, and now I’m getting to know the boys, things are getting a lot easier.
“I want to stay, I want to be involved right to the end now. So that is one of my goals, and I’ve got an opportunity to prove that tomorrow night.”
While the Lions looked in full control after the opening 10 minutes, Graham’s departure was followed by two tries from their opponents, who drew level through scores from Triston Reilly and Seru Uru to head into half-time at 14-14.
