Edinburgh coach addresses Van Der Merwe's transfer rumours

SPOTLIGHT: Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt revealed the United Rugby Championship team are “desperate” to keep Duhan van der Merwe amid transfer rumours.

Van der Merwe, 29, returned to the Scottish capital two years ago after the demise of his former club Worcester Warriors and signed a contract extension in late 2023.

However that deal expires at the end of this season and Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby will need to come up with an enticing package if they are to ward off interest from the Top 14.

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According to Rugbypass, Montpellier, Bayonne and Lyon are believed to be interested in the flier.

“I was joking with him today because we obviously read the same article,” said Everitt after Edinburgh earned their first URC win of the season against the Stormers.

“We want to keep Duhan in Scotland if we can. He’s got a business here in Scotland.

“We desperately do want to keep him here, so we’ll do the best we can. We’re in the process of contracting for season 2025-2026 at the moment. We’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”

Van der Merwe, now Scotland’s record try-scorer with 28 in 41 Tests, was a largely peripheral figure in Edinburgh’s 38-7 victory on Saturday, with only four carries and a single line break.

But he did cover across well to reach a Warwick Gelant grubber to the corner amid an intense period of Stormers pressure in the second quarter, with the hosts relieved to concede only one try as the visitors camped on their line.

After shipping eight – including seven in the first half – to the Lions a week ago in Johannesburg, Everitt was full of praise for his side’s response to that 55-21 thumping.

“Defence displays your character and also defines your character and the guys certainly put their bodies on the line to keep that team out,” said Everitt.

“At the back end of the first half, it was sublime. I’m just proud of the boys that they got the result and they got the reward for all their hard work and perseverance during the week.

“This team has never lacked character under my leadership. I’m just glad that they were able to put in the performance and get the result that they did against a quality Stormers outfit.

“It’s been a difficult week for everyone. It was always going to be a tricky start to this competition. But it just shows what this team can do with good game management and good leadership.

“The leaders took responsibility for having gone a little bit off-strategy last week. This week we get it right and hopefully, we can build on it.”

Source: Rugbypass