Gregor Townsend believes there’s “much more to come back” from Duhan van der Merwe as Scotland’s document try-scorer prepares to win his fiftieth cap in opposition to USA at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The South Africa-born wing made his debut in opposition to Georgia in October 2020 and has since amassed 32 tries in 49 appearances whereas additionally incomes involvement in every of the final two British and Irish Lions excursions.
Head coach Townsend has loved watching Van der Merwe emerge as a talismanic determine for his crew and he expects the swashbuckling 30-year-old to go on and collect many extra caps.
“He’s created so many particular moments,” he mentioned. “It’s laborious to consider that his debut was simply 5 years in the past, so to get 50 caps inside that 5 years reveals how essential he’s been for us by way of being chosen each time he’s been out there, his personal consistency and sturdiness, and the way he has developed his recreation.
“When he first got here in, he was a terrific ball-carrier who wanted to develop his defence, which he has finished. He’s been a defence chief now for the final couple of seasons.
“He has worked really hard on his contact area and I think last season showed his ability to put others into space, so his game is growing, it needs to keep growing like all our players, but it’s great that we’ve had him for the last five years and there’s a lot more to come.”
With English and French-based players like Finn Russell, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn and Ben White unavailable for choice till the go to of New Zealand subsequent weekend, Townsend has opted for an experimental line-up, interspersed with senior gamers like Van der Merwe, Darcy Graham, Jack Dempsey and Scott Cummings.
Edinburgh’s Liam McConnell, 21, will make his debut at blindside flanker, whereas Edinburgh hooker Harri Morris, 24, is handed the prospect to win his first cap off the bench.
“We’ve chosen Liam on what he’s been doing with Edinburgh, but additionally his potential,” mentioned Townsend. “Liam actually impressed us again within the under-20s and each time we’ve had him in our surroundings, it’s his aggression and his effort.
“He was one of many fittest gamers coming by Edinburgh’s pre-season, so he’s put within the work and now he’s getting the rewards.”
Glasgow forwards Zander Fagerson and Rory Darge are each persevering with to work on their health with a view to coming back from harm in opposition to the All Blacks subsequent weekend.
“Zander skilled with the crew on Tuesday and Wednesday, we did a dwell session on the market yesterday and he took a full half in that,” mentioned Townsend. “Rory isn’t at that stage proper now so he’s nonetheless working with the physios, so he’s operating, he actually examined himself this week and he’s come by properly.
“We have now a session tomorrow, so we’ll see the place each these gamers are.
It could be good to know that they’re capable of practice tomorrow as a result of as you go right into a Take a look at week you need to announce the squad as early as potential within the week, so we’ll have extra proof after this weekend.”
