DTH staying at Scotstoun
In the week that Glasgow Warriors racked up their biggest ever win, their prolific try-scorer DTH van der Merwe committed to Scotstoun for at least a further two years.
While not on the scoresheet in the eight-try demolition of Dragons in South Wales on Friday, the Canadian flyer has firmly established himself as a Warrior Nation favourite with his high-octane performances since signing for the club in 2009.
He has extended his contract meaning he’ll stay on with the Warriors until at least May 2015.
Van der Merwe arrived in Glasgow via Saracens having made his debut for the Canadian national side three years earlier and has built a reputation as a fearsome finisher.
He is on the verge of becoming the Warriors all-time leading try-scorer having already surpassed former Warriors wing Thom Evans in the league try-scoring chart. He needs just two more scores to take the all-time club record.
The 26-year-old, who has racked up eight tries in nine appearances this season, said: “This was a pretty easy decision for me and I’m very happy to have signed the deal.
“The direction the squad is heading played a big factor in my decision to stay in Glasgow, not just the guys who are playing here already but the guys who want to come and play their rugby here too. It’s pretty exciting.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in a couple of semifinals with this club and it would be great to take it that one step further on. This squad definitely has the potential to win some silverware.
“I’m very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play professionally and now Gregor [Townsend] has come in and I’ve been lucky enough to get a few tries. They’re team tries though, I just happen to be the guy that’s the last one to receive the ball.
“I’m just real excited about where this team is going. We’re a young team but there’s a lot of talent and experience despite it being a pretty young squad so if we keep the group together, that’s going to be great for the club in the long-term.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “Any team would want to have a player of DTH’s calibre in their ranks.
“He’s strong, quick and has a very good understanding of the game so it’s great that he will continue his career and development here at Scotstoun.
“We have talked a lot about the depth of talent we have within the Warriors squad and DTH is very much part of that. His scoring record really speaks for itself so that’s a powerful weapon to have in our armoury alongside all the other players who are pushing for places in the starting line-up.”
Van der Merwe is the seventh Warrior this season to sign a contract extension, following in the footsteps of captain Al Kellock, Pat MacArthur, Tom Ryder, Mike Cusack, Tommy Seymour and Peter Murchie.
He has scored a total of 26 tries for the Warriors, 23 in the Pro12/League and three in the European Cup. Thom Evans, who holds the record, scored a total of 27 tries in his Warriors career (21 League and six in the European Cup.)
Van der Merwe will be gunning for the club record as Glasgow Warriors face Pro12 leaders Ulster at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night having dispatched the Dragons at Rodney Parade in ruthless fashion.
The Ravenhill men are currently top of the table, with the Warriors still snapping at their heels. It will be the fourth time the sides have met this season, with Ulster coming out on top in the opening game of the Pro12 season then again, twice, in the European Cup pool stages.
