Scotland and Edinburgh star Duhan van der Merwe is unlikely to play again before Andy Farrell announces his British and Irish touring party following an ankle injury. 

The winger is one of the front-runners to feature in Farrell’s Test side to take on the Wallabies later this year, but he now faces an anxious wait to see if he’s done enough to make the plane.

Duhan van der Merwe injury leaves Andy Farrell with new selection headache

Van der Merwe, who started all five of Scotland’s Six Nations Tests this campaign, picked up the injury in Edinburgh’s dominant 38-5 win over the Dragons on Friday night, and an official club statement confirmed he would be back in action by May.

Head coach Sean Everitt also confirmed the injury: “It’s a bit swollen, but we’re hoping for the best,” Everitt said. “We’re at an important part of our season now, so we’re just hoping that it isn’t too serious and that he can return as soon as possible.”

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With that prognosis, it is unlikely Van der Merwe would be back in action for Edinburgh before the announcement of the Lions touring squad on May 8 – which could derail his chances of making it altogether, given he was already facing stern competition for his spot in the touring party as it was.

England’s Tommy Freeman excelled during the Six Nations and was nominated for Player of the Championship as a result. James Lowe is also a leading contender to start in the Test side and Van der Merwe’s Edinburgh and Scotland teammate Darcy Graham is also in excellent form.

Mack Hansen is also likely to be in Farrell’s mind as well, and Blair Kinghorn is also a possible option to feature on the wing given his form for Toulouse in that position.

Van der Merwe already has Lions credit in the bank, though – albeit under previous head coach Warren Gatland – as he started all three Tests against the Springboks in 2021.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh will also be without Scottish international Marshall Sykes until the end of May through a foot injury. The towering forward made his Test debut during the Six Nations, coming off the bench in their defeat to France.

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/british-and-irish-lions-duhan-van-der-merwe-injury-leaves-andy-farrell-with-tough-selection-call