CROCK OF GOLD

Edinburgh took a chance on injured Duhan in 2017 but now he's a Scots hero and set to win 50th cap

- GRAEME MACPHERSON

DUHAN VAN DER MERWE says he owes Edinburgh for setting him on his path to tonight's milestone - because they "chucked me a lifeline" with a contract when crocked.

The South African-born flier is braced for the proud feeling that will accompany claiming his 50th Scotland cap after setting up home here in 2017.

The former Montpellier man qualified on residential grounds in 2020 and has gone on to rack up a record 32 tries in a dark blue jersey.

But it could have been a different story, given the circumstances of the winger's arrival as a young prospect.

The 30-year-old said: "I failed the medical initially when I came over to Edinburgh in 2017. Normally when you fail your medical it's, 'Bye-bye... back to where you came from'.

"But Edinburgh chucked me a lifeline and the head coach at the time, Richard Cockerill, backed me.