La Rochelle Targets Scotland Star Duhan van der Merwe for Next Season
La Rochelle is reportedly keen on securing the services of Duhan van der Merwe, the Scotland and British & Irish Lions winger, as they seek to bolster their squad with explosive talent ahead of the upcoming season. Coach Ronan O’Gara has been vocal about the need for added firepower, and van der Merwe, whose contract is set to expire in June, has been in discussions with multiple Top 14 clubs regarding a potential move.
The 29-year-old winger, hailing from George in the Western Cape of South Africa, has previously expressed interest in returning to France. Notably, he had a brief spell with Montpellier during the 2016-2017 season, where he scored three tries in four appearances. Unfortunately, his time in the south of France was marred by a recurring hip injury and challenges in adapting to the local culture and language. Following this, van der Merwe’s career gained momentum at Edinburgh, leading to his eventual call-up to the Scottish national team.
Since becoming eligible to represent Scotland in 2020 through residency, van der Merwe has made an impressive impact, netting 28 tries in 41 appearances. His performance has established him as one of the most coveted wingers in international rugby. He began the current United Rugby Championship (URC) season with a bang, scoring two tries against Leinster in the opening match, and is closing in on a century of appearances for Edinburgh after returning to Scotland following the liquidation of Worcester Warriors.
However, La Rochelle faces stiff competition for van der Merwe’s signature. Bayonne and Lyon are also on the lookout for a winger and have reportedly engaged in discussions to gauge his interest in joining their ranks.
While van der Merwe previously signed a lucrative £300,000 per year contract with Worcester, his asking price is expected to be substantial. Sources indicate that he is seeking between €30,000 and €34,000 (£25,000 to £28,000) per month, a figure that may stretch the budget of Les Maritimes, especially as they look to fill the void left by the injury-prone Springbok international Raymond Rhule, whose contract expires next summer.
As La Rochelle continues its pursuit of van der Merwe, the coming months will be crucial in determining where the dynamic winger will ply his trade next season. With interest from multiple clubs and the stakes high, fans will eagerly watch how this transfer saga unfolds.
