Scotland's guns are blazing as Six Nations hero chases 'dream come true' in Dublin

"Now you're talking,” the little winger, grinning, fires back. “That would be a dream come true. I've said from the start of my career that I'd be gutted if I went the whole career and didn't win something big, be that the Six Nations, the URC back with Edinburgh, whatever.”

Graham and his Scotland teammates are bang in the mix, of that there is no question. One of three teams can claim the championship this weekend and Scotland are one of them. To do so, they have to better France’s result against England when they face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

The task is huge. Scotland have not beaten the Irish in nine years, 11 matches, and never under this head coach Gregor Townsend. Even that might not be enough for the Six Nations crown. France’s points difference is so superior - +58 - that if they win in Paris with a bonus point, it doesn’t matter what Scotland do.

Graham has been on the end of some sore Irish defeats. In the Six Nations, and at World Cups. There is a score to settle with the green machine. They, too, can win the title but would need to beat Scotland and then hope England get their act together at the Stade de France.

"That's a good question,” said Graham when probed as to what has made Ireland so difficult to beat over the years. “They're world-class at everything they do. They've got their system and it works for them.

“Everybody buys into that, so it's very hard to break them down, especially when their fans get on top of you. It's a difficult place to go. Their overall game, they're a pretty complete team."

Scotland ‘go to Ireland full guns blazing’

Nevertheless, the optimist in Graham comes through. “I think they're there for the taking,” he said. “They've probably not been firing as well as they have in previous campaigns. They're still a world-class team. As I said, it's a difficult place to go. I've never been there and won, and I can't even remember the last time we won there. It's been a long time, but as I said, confidence is right up there. We'll go there full guns blazing."

Graham takes inspiration from some of his teammates when it comes to silverware. The Glasgow Warriors cohort won the URC two years ago, while Finn Russell has mopped up trophies with Bath and his former Edinburgh Rugby pal Blair Kinghorn has won the Top 14 and the Champions Cup with Toulouse. Graham’s cupboard is bare. He may well be out on his own now as Scotland’s record try-scorer after his brace against France, but he wants a medal.

"When I see the boys, especially Blair, the success he's had out in France winning the double, I'm jealous of that,” he added. “I would love to do that.

“I think just being in a winning team is absolutely massive. I'm absolutely loving my rugby just now. It's been refreshing coming into Scotland camp, throwing the ball about, training really well, getting hands on ball, it makes a big difference."

“I'm not getting ahead of myself, just now. Listen, it is up to us now, so we'll all go over there next week and see what we can do."