Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed the signing of DTH van der Merwe with an added surprise. The Canadian international will return to the Guinness Pro 14 club with immediate effect, leaving Newcastle after making only three Aviva Premiership appearances with the club since joining from Scarlets in the off-season. van der Merwe’s contract will run through the 2019-2020 season in what could be his final professional contract before embarking on a firefighting career.
van der Merwe is Glasgow’s all-time leading try scorer having touched down 43 times in 96 games while playing for the club between 2009 and 2015. In a media release he expressed his delight with the move.
“I’ve been away for three years and this is like a second home to me. My first child was born here and Glasgow will always be special to me and I’m massively excited to be back. Niko (Matawalu) and Ruaridh (Jackson) have also come back this season and it speaks volumes about the club that players want to come back here. I thought a lot about leaving Glasgow on 96 games, that was always in the back of my mind. I just didn’t quite get to 100, but now I’ve got that opportunity.
“Glasgow play an exciting brand of rugby and it’s great coming back to a place I’m familiar with and my wife is very happy here. You probably couldn’t wipe the smile of my face, it feels good to be home. I just want to get stuck in with the boys now and hopefully finish the season on a high.”
The 31-year-old recently celebrated his 50th cap for Canada during the Americas Rugby Championship. Canadian fans will now be depending on him to inspire them back to World Cup qualification later this year. It would be a fourth tournament for van der Merwe if they succeed, having played in the 2007, 2011, and 2015 editions.
