Darcy Graham has admitted that losing his Test spot gave him extra motivation to become Scotland’s Six Nations hero against Wales.
Graham reclaimed his status as Scotland’s joint leading try-scorer with an opportunist score that proved the turning point of their 26-23 comeback win in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Edinburgh wing claimed his 35th Test try – taking him level with team-mate Duhan van der Merwe on the all-time Scotland scoring list – by gathering Finn Russell’s 57th-minute restart kick that caught the home defence napping.
Graham had only been on the pitch three minutes but it was the third Scotland game running that the 28-year-old has started on the bench.
‘It’s been a tough couple of months,’ said the 48-times capped Graham.
‘Coming off the benches is hard. It’s been something totally different and I’ve had to adjust to it.
Darcy Graham touches down on Saturday to stun Wales and pave the way for a Scotland win
It was a moment of elation for Graham, who has been dropped to the bench for Scotland of late
‘The way the team’s announced you have a wee 10-minute sulk and then you’re straight on the training park to prove why you should be there.’
Asked if being dropped had given him added motivation, Graham said: ‘Of course. You always want to be starting in these big games.
‘But the way Kyle (Steyn) is playing he deserves every minute that he’s playing. Steyno’s playing unbelievable.
‘He’s world class and he’s raised the bar, especially when I came into camp as I had to catch up.
‘I’m glad to still be involved and bring my energy because these wins are special.’
Graham explained his first Test try since a Murrayfield hat-trick against the United States in November came after a quick nod between him and Russell.
Wales had just extended their lead to 23-12 through a Jarrod Evans kick and were closing in on a first Six Nations win for three years.
Graham added: ‘Finn said as they were taking the penalty “Darcy, be ready”. I’ve seen him sprint up to the halfway line and he gave me the nod.
‘I gave him a nod and I knew it was on. So I just went as hard as I could for that ball and got a lucky bounce.
‘He’s obviously seen that space and it worked out. I’ll probably never get a bounce like that again.’
Second-placed Scotland are four points behind Championship leaders France, who remain on course for Grand Slam glory after beating Italy 33-8 in Lille on Sunday.
The two sides meet at Murrayfield in the fourth round of Six Nations action on March 7.
Graham said: ‘We’re back right up there. France at home is going to be the big one and if you can topple them it would be massive.
‘Everybody would have a lost a game at that point (if Scotland win), so everything’s on the line.’
Meanwhile, Scotland will play Fiji at Murrayfield on July 18 as part of the inaugural Nations Championship.
The game will technically be a Fiji home game with the South Pacific nation also taking on England and Wales in Liverpool and Cardiff respectively.
The summer series sees Scotland visiting Argentina and South Africa before returning home to face Fiji.