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DTH van der Merwe is set to make a surprise return to Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season. The Canadian winger joined Aviva Premiership club Newcastle Falcons from Scarlets last summer but with little playing time will seek more success with the team he spent six seasons with beginning in 2009. Multiple media outlets have reported that he will sign a two-year deal with Glasgow in what could be his final professional contract before embarking on a firefighting career.
It’s been a frustrating season for van der Merwe, who started the season on the disabled list but once fully fit has seen action in only three Premiership matches for the Falcons. Head coach Dean Richards has instead opted for Samoan stepper Sinoti Sinoti and Fijian star Vereniki Goneva on the wings with young English prospect Adam Radwan also seeing significant playing time.
In the meantime van der Merwe has made himself busy by playing for Canada, three times on the November tour and four times already in 2018 including winning his 50th cap against against the USA last month. Among the new faces he will find at Glasgow is former Super Rugby winner Dave Rennie, now Head Coach after moving from the Chiefs.
A number of other Americas players could depart Newcastle at season’s end. Juan Pablo Socino will also make the move north having already signed for Edinburgh. US Eagles lock Nick Civetta is out of contract at the end of the season, as are Canadian duo Jake Ilnicki and Evan Olmstead and a pair of Argentines – Belisario Agulla and Socino’s younger brother Santiago.
