"Nightmare year" - Duhan van der Merwe stood down once again

The Scotland international will sit out the club’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash in Dublin, continuing a frustrating run on the sidelines.

Van der Merwe has now missed four successive matches after aggravating the ankle issue he picked up during the Six Nations. The powerful wing has not recovered in time for this weekend’s knockout fixture.

Head coach Sean Everitt had hoped the 30-year-old would be available, but that return has been delayed.

“I’m hoping he’ll be fit in the next couple of weeks,” Everitt said.

“He’s had a flare-up from the injury he suffered during the Six Nations, so he’s doing extra work to strengthen the area around the ankle.”

The injury concerns do not end there for Edinburgh.

Captain Magnus Bradbury has also been ruled out after sustaining ankle ligament damage in the recent defeat in Cape Town.

“Maggie has ligament damage,” Everitt confirmed. “He’ll see a specialist later this week, but he won’t be available for this game.

“He managed to play on, so we’re hopeful it’s not too serious. But he’s a key leader for us, so it’s a loss.”