Newcastle Falcons' Cumbrian back-row Gary Graham has become a surprise addition to the Scotland squad for their remaining two November internationals.
The former Carlisle Rugby Club man is an injury replacement for flanker Blade Thomson who sustained a concussion in Scarlets' 31-21 defeat to Edinburgh on November 2 and has remained with the club’s medical team.
Stirling-born Graham the son of former Scotland prop George, grew-up in Carlisle and was an unused call-up to England’s 2018 Six Nations squad on residency grounds.
But the 26-year-old, a former Scotland Under-20 international, has yet to be capped at international level and has now been called-up by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend for their games against South Africa next Saturday, and Argentina on November 24.
"I’m Scottish through-and-through but England asked me first as I'm eligible through residency. It would have been a silly opportunity to pass up, as I hadn’t been selected for a Scotland squad since Under-20s," Graham told Scottish Rugby's website.
"I’m absolutely delighted to get this opportunity.
"I phoned Gregor to assure him I wanted to play for Scotland, and always wanted to play for my country.
"It’s where I’m from and where I played most of my rugby."
Townsend added: "It was great to hear from Gary that he wanted to commit to Scotland."
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