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Two French giants eyeing Duhan van der Merwe - reports

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Toulon have joined Racing 92 in the race to sign Scotland and Worcester Warriors winger Duhan van der Merwe, according to reports in France.

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The Parisian outfit have already been linked with the 106kg winger to serve as injury cover for incoming rugby league star Regan Grace from St Helens, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last month, but Midi Olympique have reported that Toulon are also circling van der Merwe amid Worcester’s financial struggles.

The British & Irish Lion has already had a stint playing in France, representing Montpellier in the 2016/17 season before a move to Edinburgh kickstarted his career. After four years in the Scottish capital, in which he qualified for Scotland, he made the move to Sixways at the beginning of last season.

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The Midi Olympique report also says that flanker Kyle Hatherell is on the verge of signing for reigning Heineken Champions Cup winners La Rochelle after catching the eye of a number of clubs in England as well.

It was confirmed over the weekend that the Worcester players have been paid their wages following an IT issue at the bank, but there seems to be no end to the crisis they find themselves in, and as a consequence, Top 14 clubs are looking to benefit.

“This situation must be stressful for you all, we are sorry we are in this boat and we’ve done everything we can do avoid it, all we can do now is deal with what’s in front of us,” wrote Warriors co-owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring in an internal memo.

“Regarding the payroll situation, the bank have finally confirmed the issue has been resolved and we can process the rest of the player and staff salary payments, some having already gone through.

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“No doubt your focus will be on the immediate payroll situation, but I’d also like to say things are progressing well behind the scenes with one investor group in particular.”

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M
Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
The numbers show Super Rugby Pacific just got even tougher

I’m not confident that our Australian sides will set“ the heather on fire” this year, as they say in Scotland, or probably in some households, Dunedin too. Starting with Qld., They should, with the roster they have, be the team to beat in Australia, and a tough assignment for any of the NZ teams, either side of the Tasman.


But so far they have been erratic, brilliant plays interspersed with poor handling, poor decision making, and sheer stupidity. The latter highlighted by both McReight and Daugunu, albeit in different games, handling the ball at the ruck, when lying on the ground. Would like to see a “stupidity fine” for such actions, say $1000.00 for first offence…and that is a serious comment.


I would see this weekend in Christchurch as a tough one for the Reds, especially without LSL still, and now Flook and Uru. Any team with Will Jordan has to be respected.


The Waratahs sit on two wins, but by 1 and five points only. Their roster is strong, but still they don’t look a cohesive team yet. The Force are a far better team this year, and could well cause an upset in this upcoming game.


I think the Brumbies will struggle more this year to get up over the top sides, especially the NZ teams, and away from home. I feel Stephen Larkham has a ceiling as a coach, which he is struggling the breach. Taking on the Blues in Auckland could turn nasty. Vern Cotter’s scrum focus, and success in that aera so far will be a big test for our side.


Where I see th NZ sides, alll of them, ahead of our teams, is the speed and accuracy of their breakdown work. Their scrum halves have a far easier role than any Australian 9. The other area of superiority for the NZ teams is the speed at which they exploit areas, take chances.


Anyway, upset results so far have certainly made this year far more interesting than previous years. Long may this continue.

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