If you were to watch any highlights reel of Scotland’s best moments in the Six Nations over recent years, it’s safe to assume Duhan van der Merwe would feature prominently.
From the moment he became the wrecking ball in Scotland’s attack in late 2020 and 2021, no player has scored more tries [16] in the championship than Van der Merwe.
He has been the destroyer of England, with Calcutta Cup heroics when he scored that try at Twickenham in 2023, as well as a hat-trick against the Auld Enemy at Murrayfield the following year.
He has scored for Scotland in victories away in Paris and in Cardiff. A truly box-office player who brings fireworks and lethal finishing prowess, he has given the nation some incredible memories.
But, with the start of this year’s Six Nations now only a couple of weeks away, Gregor Townsend finds himself wrestling with an awkward truth.
On current form, there’s no way Van der Merwe should be in Scotland’s team when they begin their championship against Italy in Rome on February 7.
Duhan van der Merwe was dropped by Scotland in the Autumn Tests and is struggling for form
The winger has been a Six Nations standout for Scotland for many years, but may miss out this time around
Gregor Townsend has plenty depth when it comes to options on the wing for Scotland
He lost his place back in the autumn and has shown nothing since then that would warrant a recall. That also came on the back of a poor series for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia last summer.
It was hoped that Van der Merwe would go back to Edinburgh and get himself back to top form and full fitness. But it hasn’t happened.
He has played only four matches since the autumn and has been largely anonymous. Injuries have continued to niggle away at his efforts to rediscover his best stuff.
Quite simply, there are others who are now ahead of him in the pecking order. Glasgow Warriors duo Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie would be chief among them. Darcy Graham, too.
Steyn is the captain of a Warriors team who are playing as well as anyone in Europe right now. He’s a much more rounded player than Van der Merwe.
Dobie is another whose all-round skillset and form puts him ahead of the giant winger. Not only that, the fact Dobie can cover scrum-half and wing is another major factor that will go in his favour.
Van der Merwe turned 30 last summer. There’s still more than enough time for him to come again in a Scotland jersey.
But, after naming a 40-man squad for this year’s Six Nations, it does feel like Townsend is now having to contemplate a life without Duhan. At least for the time being.
Asked if Van der Merwe’s lack of form was an issue heading into the championship, the Scotland head coach replied: ‘Probably more concerning that he’s had a few injuries.
Van der Merwe suffers against Wales last year and faces an anxious wait to hear his fate
Glasgow’s Jamie Dobie has been in tremendous form and his versatility is a major asset
‘He’s not really had a run of games. I thought his last game was really good against Gloucester. He was battling injury in that game, too.
‘He showed moments at Hampden [in the derby against Glasgow].
‘He’s finding his form and he just needs to get some more games. I believe he’s going to be fit this week, which is a boost.
‘He can obviously play well the next couple of weeks before the Six Nations starts.’
Dobie has been a revelation for Glasgow this season. A scrum-half by trade, his rapid pace and finishing ability has also made him a huge asset on the wing.
‘He’s really flourished,’ said Townsend of the 24-year-old. ‘We were discussing about a season ago or 18 months ago, he’s got all the attributes to be a very good winger.
‘But we wanted him to play more at nine [at that time] and he always got opportunities with us at nine. He obviously started against Argentina in the autumn.
‘I think for a few reasons he has really shone on the wing. He’s played there a bit more regularly, rather than going between nine and wing.
‘He’s brave, he’s a very good defender, and he’s really good in the air. He’s also creating opportunities and finishing off opportunities – and that’s what you want from your winger.’
Elsewhere, the make-up of Townsend’s squad leans heavily towards the old guard.
Veteran lock Jonny Gray has been recalled along with fellow French-based player Dave Cherry
Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry have both been recalled at lock and hooker, respectively.
Cherry is 35 and playing in the second-tier in France with Vannes. Gray is 31 and largely been a bit-part figure with Bordeaux. He hasn’t played for Scotland in close to a year.
Given the other more youthful and in-form options available to Townsend, this feels like a squad based on self-preservation, rather than building towards the next World Cup.
Gregor Hiddleston has been outstanding for Glasgow, but there’s no place for him in the squad and instead he’ll have a run out with the ‘A’ team, with Cherry joining Ewan Ashman and George Turner as the three hookers. That’s a shocker.
The selections at lock are just as much of a head-scratcher. Cam Henderson has been excellent for Leicester Tigers, but misses out. So, too, does Glasgow’s Alex Samuel.
Meanwhile, Grant Gilchrist, who will be 37 by the time the next World Cup comes around, still soldiers on. It just doesn’t feel like a squad that’s being built for the future.
Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas have been rewarded for their form with Edinburgh and they will bring energy and competition to the back row.
Adam Hastings and Fergus Burke will provide the cover for Finn Russell at 10, whilst Northampton’s Rory Hutchinson will compete with skipper Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones and Stafford McDowall in the midfield.
‘There’s players that have hit form individually and in the case of Glasgow, the club’s in great form right now,’ added Townsend.
Steyn scores against New Zealand at Murrayfield last year and is a certain pick on current form
‘It [Glasgow momentum] should count for a lot. You have a group that are feeling good about their own performances.
‘The club is building momentum. There’s cohesion there, too. A lot of the players are playing alongside their team-mates, whether that’s in the forward pack or the midfield or back three.
‘You know that they’ve got a language that they’ve been using in training that they can carry on.
‘I find players coming from one team, a group of them playing well together, is going to help the international team.
‘That’s been recognised in our selection and then you’ve got someone like Freddy Douglas who’s played the last four or five games for Edinburgh and played really well.
‘So we feel that all those players can play Test rugby and this year having five games in six weeks, it’s likely we’ll play up to 30 or even more than 30 players through the championship.’
