Winger‘in with a shout’ of Lions role
Ex-ireland winger Tommy Bowe would “not be one bit surprised” to see Scottish powerhouse winger Duhan van der Merwe play himself into a British & Irish Lions Test back-three spot over the next few weeks.
Bowe’s fellow countrymen will be on red alert when they take on the Scots at BT Murrayfield this afternoon in the Six Nations round four clash because Edinburgh Rugby flyer van der Merwe has made a superb start to his international career.
Since he qualified to play for Gregor Townsend’s men via residency last year, the 25-yearold has bagged four tries in seven Tests and has brought a different dimension to the Scots’ attack.
And if he can keep his form until the end of the Six Nations and beyond then Bowe, the 37-year-old who played 69 times for his country and went on two Lions tours, believes the wide man could force his way into Warren Gatland’s starting XV this summer to face South Africa.
“Having been born in South Africa, van der Merwe would love to play against them and will have his eye on the Lions – and the way he is going he is certainly in with a great shout,” Bowe said.
“I know that Warren Gatland likes to play with big, strong wingers and van der Merwe is very much in that ilk. You look at how the Lions have used big guys like George North out wide to great effect before and I would not be one bit surprised to see van der Merwe in a Lions Test back three alongside Stuart Hogg come the summer.
“Warren loves to use players who can get over the gain line – North and Jamie Roberts were prime examples of that – and van der Merwe could be a real weapon for the Lions.
“We have seen him already coming off his wing in his early days with Scotland and causing havoc when he has linked up with the likes of stand-off Finn Russell while his PRO14 stats are amazing.
“Van der Merwe himself will know that he still has some improving to do, but he has the raw ability and pace to trouble any defence and Gatland will be looking at him as someone that could cause South Africa real problems.”
Scotland’s opening World Cup qualifier at home to Austria on March 25 could be switched to a neutral venue.
With 18 of the Austrian squad playing for Bundesliga clubs, strict rules on travel between Germany and Britain could see them forced to stay at home.
A decision is expected this week.