There is a world of difference between Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and the K-Park in East Kilbride, but both venues will today host a determined young sportsman named Darge.
Rory of that clan will bid to crown his brilliant debut Six Nations with victory over Ireland, while back in South Lanarkshire his younger brother Arron will be out to right some wrongs.
The 18-year-old footballer, on loan at Gala Fairydean Rovers from Hearts, will line up at right back against a team who put five past the Borderers on the same day last month when Rory, pictured, scored his first Test try against France.
For a long time, the siblings were on the same path, progressing rapidly through the age-grade system in North Berwick, the closest town to the family home in Aberlady.
“It was always 50/50 for me between football and rugby,” Arron explained. “I did the regional rugby stuff and was playing football at the same time. When I was offered a contract by Hearts [in 2019] that’s when it became decision time, and football just edged it I guess.
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“I was outside centre mostly, but wing or full back was also an option a couple of times. We didn’t get to play in the same team, me and Rory. He was just a wee bit too old for that to happen. A couple of times I played a year or two years above [my age-group], but he was the same, he would be playing a couple of years above his own group.
“Rory was always strictly rugby. He’s not the best with the ball at his feet, he’s much better with it in hand. It’s been really inspiring for me to see how well he has done and so quickly. It just proves that it’s all about being given a chance and then taking it.”
Twelve months ago, Darge was going nowhere. After joining Edinburgh in the summer of 2020 as the Scotland under-20 captain, the flanker had made only one bench appearance under Richard Cockerill by the time he forced through a move to Glasgow. Ever since, the now 22-year-old has not taken a backward step, literal or figurative.
“The move to Glasgow has changed everything for him,” Arron said. “He didn’t really get much of a chance at Edinburgh under Cockers. Moving to Glasgow is the best decision he’s ever made and he’s been thriving.
“I’ve been to see him a couple of times at Scotstoun. It’s brilliant going to watch him and the fans are great. It’s a shame — I’ve not been able to watch any of his Six Nations games yet live, because we have our games at the same time on a Saturday. I’m either watching the highlights or watching a replay. But he’s been absolutely smashing it and to get his first try was brilliant for him.
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“As a big brother, he’s brilliant — the most humble guy. You wouldn’t think he has been playing the way he has. He’s just the same guy he has always been.”
The rest of the family — mother Nicola, father Kevin and younger brother Harris — were all present and correct at Murrayfield for the France game, despite the 14-year-old suffering a significant injury on the morning of the match while playing for North Berwick High School.
“My dad wasn’t too keen on him playing rugby in the morning in case something happened, and sure enough he dislocated his knee and had to go to hospital, but he got to Murrayfield in time to see the game and the try.
“Harris absolutely adores my big brother and wants to do exactly the same. He absolutely loves his rugby.”
Arron — who played for Scotland at under-16 level — was on the bench for the Hearts first team for their League Cup game against East Fife last season, and is determined to force his way into the Tynecastle reckoning sooner rather than later.
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“The loan was mostly about getting game time, more minutes in my legs, playing more of a physical side of football, more of a men’s style of football.
“I’ve enjoyed it. The boys are great and I’ve got everything out of it that I can. There is a massive difference. You can feel it. For the first month or so, the physicality and the fatigue I was experiencing during games was completely different to what you would get at under-18s or youth or academy.
“In an average week, I’m training at Hearts Monday and Tuesday, Thursday night I’ll be down in Galashiels for training there. Friday I’m at Hearts again then into the game on Saturday.
“Even being on loan, I’m still at Hearts three or four times a week and that’s 100 per cent what I’m aiming to do — get involved in that first team as much as I can. Any chance I get, I will do my best to take.
“There are some brilliant talents in the team, so many people I can learn from. I’ve been a centre half pretty much the whole time I’ve been playing football, but out on loan I’ve been playing more of a right back kind of role.
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“It probably suits me a wee bit better, just size-wise if I’m playing men’s football, I’m not the tallest yet. That is probably a position I’m going to try to see what I can get out of it. I’m playing pretty well there and enjoying it.
“I’ll not see Rory’s game again this afternoon, but here’s hoping we both have something to celebrate.”
