As families go, there aren’t many more qualified to discuss international rugby than the Grahams.

Dad George earned 25 caps for Scotland between 1997 and 2002 before he later became the national team’s forwards coach.

But it’s son, and former Carlisle Rugby Club man, Gary who is the Graham now taking centre stage on the international scene.

Last year, Gary was called-up to England’s Six Nations squad, having grown-up in Harraby.

But after being an unused member in that squad, Stirling-born Gary switched his allegiance back to the Scots for the Autumn internationals in November and, with the Six Nations again back on the horizon, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has once again selected Gary in his 39-man squad.

Dad George admits it’s been quite a 12 months for 26-year-old Graham, a former Scotland Under-20s international, who plays his club rugby for Newcastle Falcons alongside younger brother Guy.

"This time last year, he was in the England squad. He was very, very close to playing against Italy for England," reveals George. “But things have changed and the situation has changed with Eddie Jones for Gary. Obviously, Gregor has been interested in Gary, as well.

"At the end of the day, it was a great accolade for Gary to be involved in the England squad. There’s nothing wrong with that because England were the second best team in the world at the time, so to be asked to play in the middle of all that is a huge feather in his cap.

"But, that being said, he is Scottish!

"As much as he has lived in Carlisle for most of his life, he was born in Scotland, his mam and dad are Scottish, every bit of his family are Scottish, so the only thing English about Gary is his accent.

"He needs to make his mark, but I think he firmly knows where he comes from and who he belongs to. We are hoping he gets capped and we are very, very proud of him."

Should Gary finally earn his first international cap at this year’s Six Nations, with the Scots set to host Italy in their first game next Saturday, he will be hoping to help them cause a few upsets with Townsend’s team fifth-favourites for the crown.

But George, currently head coach of Hawick, expects it to be a competitive tournament.

He says: "I think all the teams are getting better, that includes Italy, as well. From what we saw of Ireland over the Autumn internationals, beating New Zealand, I think they become the favourites.

"But I don’t think Wales or England are too far behind them, and then, Scotland are only just a little bit behind those two. They were very unlucky not to beat the All Blacks, as well.

"If Beauden Barrett hadn’t of made that tackle on Stuart Hogg at the end of the game, Scotland could have won that match.

"So, overall, I think the teams are getting a lot more competitive with the Southern hemisphere teams.

"At the same time, the Six Nations is a different animal to the Autumn internationals. There is so much more pressure and it’s a completely different Test match, playing in the Six Nations compared to playing in the Autumn internationals. It has a different feel and there is more at stake.

"It will be interesting to see how they all go, but I think you have to put your money on Ireland."

Unlike his sons, former international prop George has pedigree in both codes, having played rugby league for Carlisle Border Raiders, among others.

Though, when asked if a big year, with the Six Nations followed by the Rugby World Cup later in the year made him miss his rugby union career, he replies: "Yeah, a tiny little bit.

"I came down to Carlisle in 1991 and played rugby league for four or five years with the Raiders, then went to Falcons in 1996. Then, I got my cap in 1997."

He adds: "It’s been [a] slightly different [path] for Gary. His route has been slightly tougher than mine.

"He gave up his job and moved away to somewhere different to follow his dream. He spent two-and-a-half years in Jersey, before he got his opportunity with Falcons.

"And even I’m a little bit bewildered with how well he has done, because he has really, really made a mark. I think [Newcastle director of rugby] Dean Richards has realised that he is a tough guy who wants to learn.

"I think he is a bit of an asset for them. It’s been a meteoric rise for him. This is only his second season and he is pretty much one of the main stays there, so he has done very, very well."

Following the conclusion of the Six Nations in March, all eyes will turn to the World Cup in Japan. George admits: "It’s exciting times.

"All the players will want to put themselves in the shop window. They will want to show the coaches what they are capable of doing and get themselves on that flight to Japan in September.

"But there is a lot of rugby to be played between now and then."