Rugby: Scotland's all-time leading try scorer set for Greenyards
Last updated 30th Aug 2024
Scotland's all-time leading try-scorer could turn out for Melrose Rugby Club this season.
Edinburgh's Duhan van der Merwe has been aligned to the Greenyards side in the latest pro-player draft, announced this morning (Friday).
It could also see Darcy Graham return to Hawick, West Linton's Patrick Harrison turnout for Kelso and Pierre Schoeman pull-on a Selkirk shirt.
The draft, which also includes academy players, is designed to strengthen the standard of the part-time professional competition, as well as build bonds with the pro teams - Edinburgh and Glasgow - and develop homegrown players.
However, whether the internationalists are released is dependent on their parent club, and a differential of two pro players per Premiership team will be in operation in each game throughout the season to ensure there is a fair balance in games.
Kenny Murray, Head of Player Transition and Scotland Under-20s head coach, said: “The Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership represents a valuable opportunity for the best young players in the country to play regularly.
“Along with their Scotland age grade matches and A game fixtures, our players will greatly benefit from competing within the Premiership this season.
"In order for our academy players to continually improve, they need to play regularly, and we aim to organise more fixtures outwith the Premiership fixture list to further increase their game time and enhance their development.”
Melrose are returning to the top flight, following the disbandment of the Super Six series.
Van der Merwe took the title of Scotland's leading try-scorer from Hawick's Stuart Hogg, after crossing the line in a 31-19 win over Uruguay in the summer.
The full-list of players aligned to Borders clubs is as follows:
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