Edinburgh injury roll call includes update on Duhan van der Merwe

Edinburgh have confirmed that star wing Duhan van der Merwe is likely to return to action next month in their latest, and lengthy, injury bulletin.

Scotland’s capital club have had their fair share of injuries this season, with giant Scotland wing Van der Merwe a notable addition to the treatment room when he limped off with an ankle injury early on in the win over the Dragons a few weeks ago.

At the time, Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt was unwilling to be drawn on the severity of the injury, other than to say it is not linked to the ankle issue the South Africa-born 29-year-old played through in the recent Six Nations.

But he revealed after Friday’s game against the Sharks that Van der Merwe had undergone ankle surgery a fortnight ago.

Van der Merwe’s  name was one of 16 names included in the latest medical update, which said Scotland’s record try-scorer was ‘expected to be back during May’, which is the same prognosis for fellow powerhouse winger Lewis Wells (ankle).

Unless Edinburgh either beat Bath in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on May 3 or reach the URC play-offs, which is a big ask as they’re 11th and probably need three wins to get into the top 8, there is a possibility that his season has been run, with Edinburgh’s last scheduled URC game against Ulster on May 16.

Van der Merwe, who toured with the Lions in 2021 and started all three Tests against South Africa, is not likely to be fit before Andy Farrell names his squad on May 8 for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

1

Wins

2

Average Points scored

22

27

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Meanwhile, Wes Goosen (back), Ross McCann (foot) and Dave Cherry (knee), who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, are awaiting the results of their scans, while Paul Hill’s return to play date from a back injury is being assessed following a scan.

Argentina star Emiliano Boffelli’s hamstring continues to be looked at on a week-to-week basis, and Robert Carmichael’s return date is still to be determined following successful wrist surgery.

On the positive side, Olympian Mark Bennett has returned to training, and Marshall Sykes (foot), Jamie Hodgson (tricep) and Matt Scott (neck) are reckoned to be only a week or so away from a return, while Ben Vellacott shouldn’t be far behind them with early May given as his expected return date.

Tom Dodd (shoulder) and Luke Crosbie (pec) are out until June and will play no further part in the season. Connor Boyle (knee) is going to be sidelined until the start of next season.