Van der Merwe to hit one hundred at 1872 Cup opener

20 Dec 2024

Star wing Duhan van der Merwe will become Edinburgh Rugby’s 44th centurion when he makes his 100th appearance for the club this Sunday against Glasgow Warriors at Hampden Park (22 December, 3pm kick-off) – live on Premier Sports.

Scotland’s all-time top try-scorer recently signed a new multi-year contract to remain in the capital, having been a key figure at the club since joining the club from Montpellier in 2017, scoring 46 tries in his 99 appearances to date.

He will make his 100^th appearance in an Edinburgh side featuring one change to the starting lineup that beat Aviron Bayonnais at Hive Stadium last weekend, with Scotland international D’Arcy Rae coming into the side at tighthead.

Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We know how tough it will be to face Glasgow away. They have a strong record at home, so we’ll need to be at our best to beat them.

“I’m really happy for Duhan to have got to 100 caps. He’s been such an important player for this team over the years and it’s great to see him hit the milestone against Glasgow.”

Van der Merwe is joined in the back three by Scotland teammate Darcy Graham, and ever-present fullback Wes Goosen.

In the centres, Mosese Tuipulotu and Matt Currie continue their partnership in the midfield, the duo having started at inside and outside centre respectively in all of the capital’s matches since the Autumn Nations Series.

Half-back duo Ali Price (scrum-half) and Ross Thompson (stand-off) starts against their former side, the latter for the first time since his summer move across the M8.

In the pack, Rae will pack down with loosehead Pierre Schoeman and hooker Ewan Ashman to form the capital’s all-Scotland front row.

The second-row will once again be occupied by club co-captain Grant Gilchrist and Marshall Sykes, Sykes having featured in all of Edinburgh’s matches so far this season.

The loose forwards are unchanged as a trio of club centurions start together in consecutive matches, with Magnus Bradbury (number eight), Jamie Ritchie (blinside flanker) and Luke Crosbie (openside) all starting.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Glasgow Warriors at Hampden Park (Sunday 22 December, 3pm kick-off)

15. Wes Goosen (40)

14. Darcy Graham (71)
13. Matt Currie (47)
12. Mosese Tuipulotu (8)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (99)

10. Ross Thompson (9)
9. Ali Price (24)

1. Pierre Schoeman (122)
2. Ewan Ashman (27)
3. D’arcy Rae (13)
4. Marshall Sykes (72)
5. Grant Gilchrist (212) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (121)
7. Luke Crosbie (104)
8. Magnus Bradbury (121)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (98)
17. Boan Venter (75)
18. Javan Sebastian (18)
19. Sam Skinner (28)
20. Ben Muncaster (36)
21. Ben Vellacott (68)
22. Ben Healy (29)
23. James Lang (59)

Unavailable: Paul Hill (calf), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Lewis Wells (hip), Mark Bennett (quad), Connor Boyle (knee), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Emiliano Boffelli (back)