DUHAN RETURN COULD BE VITAL FOR GUNNERS

DUHAN van der Merwe is on course to give Edinburgh a massive boost ahead of Saturday's URC quarter-final against the Bulls by being passed fit to return to action after nearly two months on the sidelines.

- By Stuart Bathgate and Graeme Macpherson

The 29-year-old Scotland star, right, needed surgery on an ankle injury early last month. And he still has to prove his fitness in one final training session today.

And last night head coach Sean Everitt agreed it was the perfect occasion for the British & Irish Lions winger to make his return in.

He said: “Duhan’s a world-class player. He will bring a wealth of experience to the team.

“He came through training well today. He's got one more training session to do on Tuesday.

“But as we stand right now, he’ll be on the plane.”

Gilchrist also faces a final fitness test on a hamstring injury, while his fellow lock Glen Young may not travel.