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Canada’s fears have been confirmed as World Cup star DTH van der Merwe has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. The Scarlets winger was forced off in the first half against Glasgow Warriors on the weekend and will see a specialist this week.
If surgery is required, it will be the third shoulder operation he has undertaken, having previously required repairs in 2011 and 2014. van der Merwe will miss Canada’s three-match June series against Japan, Russia, and Italy, and it is hoped he will return to full fitness ahead of the 2016-17 season.
The news comes in the wake of Jeff Hassler’s own shoulder surgery, meaning both starting wingers from the 2015 World Cup will be absent for new coach Mark Anscombe’s first tests involved. Canada have depth at the position with Phil Mackenzie currently on San Diego’s PRO Rugby roster, while Taylor Paris is only just returning from knee surgery, though his availability for the June tests has yet to be determined.
