Duhan Van der Merwe explains Scotland eligibility following backlash
Today at 04:04 AM
Duhan van der Merwe might have started his international journey with South Africa U20s, but his path to Scotland's senior side was paved when he joined Edinburgh Rugby.
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Three years after his move, he became eligible on residency and marked his Scotland debut in 2020 with a try against Georgia. From there, he was a key part of the 2021 Six Nations squad, scoring his first tournament try against England as Scotland secured their first of four consecutive Calcutta Cup wins.
His performances earned him a spot in the 2021 British & Irish Lions squad, where he featured in all three Tests against South Africa.
With seven Calcutta Cup tries to his name—six of them coming in his last three appearances—some England fans have questioned his eligibility. But van der Merwe isn't interested in the debate.
"I've been here (almost) seven years now and I guess when I look back, it's all about hard work and dedication," he said.
"When I come in on the bus and see all our fans at the stadium, I always think about how I can give back because Scotland has done so much for me.
"I guess the only way I can give back is with my performances. I absolutely love our fans and I love playing for Scotland."
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Six players who flopped in the Six Nations today, one player ‘cost his team’
Ireland bagged their 14th Triple Crown in style, keeping their hopes of a historic third consecutive Six Nations title alive with a nail-biting victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Meanwhile, England edged closer to the business end of the competition, but a missed 79th-minute conversion from Finn Russell saw Scotland's Calcutta Cup winning streak come to a halt at Allianz Stadium.
But let's turn the spotlight onto the five players who didn't quite live up to expectations in today's Six Nations action…
#1. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Planet Rugby 5/10: “Not a game the Scotland co-captain will remember fondly as his goal-kicking proved costly and in the end it was the difference between winning and losing for his side. As expected, he asked plenty of questions of England's defence but his inability to convert any tries will haunt Scotland's fans for some time.”
RUCK 4/10: “Co-captain Russell's kicking was the difference in a heartbreaking result for the Scots, failing to make any of his three conversions from wide areas. While he was reliable away from the tee and all three kicks were near the touchline, there's no looking past his abysmal kicking in a gut-wrenching Scottish defeat which ends their championship hopes.”
Telegraph 5/10: “Missed a tackle for a Lawrence break. No problem finding width, but then what? Missed (tough) conversions were killer. A step back for his Lions hopes.”
#2. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
RUCK 3/10: “Gave away a cheap penalty and a consequential yellow card when Ireland were on the back foot towards the end of the first half which not only gave Wales an easy three points but a bunker review upgrade to a red card took Ringrose out of the game really before he even got into it.”
Rugby Pass 4/10: “Back in the starting side after coming off the pine against Scotland. Maybe could have scored but for a poor pass from Jamie Osborne and was yellow-carded minutes later for a clumsy challenge that was upgraded to a 20-minute red.”
JOE 5/10: “Was good while he was in the pitch but his red card was costly.”
BALLS.ie: “Did little in attack but stuck all six of his tackles. Unfortunately, one of them was too high on Thomas and he copped a 20-minute red card.”
Planet. Rugby 3/10: “A bad day for the centre, who was red carded for a head-on-head collision with Ben Thomas and will probably sit out the rest of the Six Nations as a result.”
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