The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Speed king set to make giant leap for Scotland
Duhan van der Merwe returns for Edinburgh against Mun s t e r in Limerick today on the eve of his certain call-up for the Scotland squad – and backs coach Duncan Hodge feels the winger is ready to make that giant leap.
South African Van der Merwe has completed his three-year residency period to qualify to play for Scotland while being the most effective attacking force in the Guinness PRO14 in the last two seasons and his absence in Edinburgh’s last two games has been keenly felt.
Hodge has had a particular interest in the player during his time and feels it’s a good time for him to be tested at the highest level.
“He has progressed so much from the raw, fast kid we saw three years ago,” said Hodge.
“He has developed his game and it is a big boost for him to come back.
“Wh e n you think a couple of years ago when we didn’t have our best side out there or we were missing a couple of guys, he stole a couple of tries out of nothing . He can make something out of nothing and it is a big boost to have him back.
There’s an element of the unknown ahead because international rugby is so different, Hodge conceded.
“His club form is good enough (to be picked),” he said.
“You look at the tries he has scored and some of the things he has done and he is up there with any wingers in our league.
“But it is a big jump. He is that good he should slip in fine, but international rugby is a different beast. There won’t be any physical issues but tactically it is different playing against some of the best players in the world.
“I think he will be absolutely fine and I am sure he will do well if he is picked, but it is a jump up in standard for anybody in any position and not just Duhan.”
Hodge concedes that
Edinburgh were not up to pace last week against Ospreys and Munster will target that.
“Going over to Munster is never easy at all, but when you give up a chink of light you are likely to get the same treatment the following week,” he said.
“We are under no illusions what is coming to us, we are excited about going over there and giving it our best shot.”
It will be a particular test for young centre George Taylor, who figures to line up opposite Springbok centre Damien De Allende and Ireland’s towering Chris Farrell.
“George works hard, is an intelligent guy and knows the game, and he’s developed really well,” said Hodge.
“He’s a physical player himself who makes a lot of line breaks and puts a lot of pressure on his opposition.”
Jamie Ritchie will also start after missing last week’s game due to Covid19 contact protocols.
Me a nw h i l e , Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny
Wilson has put all his main men into the first game at Scotstoun in seven months – and begun the plans for what he’ll do when they’re gone.
Wilson stands to lose a large percentage of his frontliners to Scotland camp next week and, while they all play against Scarlets tomorrow, he’s tr ying to broaden the numbers available to him once they become Gregor Townsend’s property.
“I don’t know any time during my coaching career when we haven’t had the second tier to go to (to fill gaps),” he said.
“The big concern is that there will be a lot of eligible
players who haven’t really done proper training, that is, they’ve not made a tackle for seven months.
“It’s strange, uncharted territory. For these guys, scrums, lineouts, contact, they need to be battle hardened. That takes at least a couple of weeks.
“So we have to take a look now and say if this one or that one fell out due to Covid, who do we go to next and how do we make sure they’re ready to go, or at least fit for purpose to be safe to go into a game of rugby?
“We ’re working putting a plan in place that but it’ll take time.”
Wilson has plugged gaps on for
with a couple of loan signings, including TJ Ioane from London Irish just this week.
He welcomes back the squad’s first two Covidcontact protocol absences, key men Tom Gordon and Zander Fagerson, for the Scarlets.
Fagerson in particular has got a “massive season” in front of him, the head coach believes.
“For me Zander, ever since the Wo r l d Cup, has really hit his straps, from about halfway through the tournament,” said Wilson.
“Since returning he’s had a great season for Glasgow and a great Six Nations for Scotland and I think he’s a real prospect, someone who could go on to the top end honours of the game, I believe.
“He’s a great pro as well and we always forget how young he is, as a tight-head prop he’s got years and years ahead of him. It’s a massive year for him and his ambitions, and I hope we can help him fulfil them.”