Glasgow’s Canada winger needs surgery

Glasgow Warriors were dealt a blow yesterday when it emerged that winger DTH van der Merwe requires surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained at the Rugby World Cup, and will now miss a “significant portion” of the season.

Van der Merwe represented Canada at the finals in New Zealand, and was assessed by the Glasgow medical team on his return. When the checks highlighted a suspected issue with the 25-year-old’s shoulder, he was sent for further assessment by specialists in Edinburgh, who have confirmed that the injury requires surgery.

Glasgow team doctor Gerry Haggerty said: “At this stage, it’s very difficult to put an estimate on the likely recovery time, but clearly we will continue to monitor DTH closely.

Head coach Sean Lineen added: “It’s obviously disappointing that a quality player like DTH requires surgery, and everyone at the club wishes him all the best for the operation and his subsequent rehabilitation.”

Van der Merwe has been left out of Glasgow’s 38-man squad for the Heineken Cup ahead of today’s tournament launch.