Six Nations: Suspension rules Duhan van der Merwe out of Scotland’s Tests against Italy and Ireland

David Skippers

Scotland's Duhan Van Der Merwe (right) and England's Elliot Daly in action during the Six Nations match at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday February 5, 2022.

Scotland flyer Duhan van der Merwe has been suspended from his country’s final two games of the Six Nations Championship after he was sent off while in action for his club, Worcester Warriors.

Van der Merwe was red carded for reckless or dangerous play during Worcester‘s loss against London Irish in their Premiership clash at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday.

He received a three-week suspension which means the 26-year-old will miss Scotland’s remaining Six Nations Tests against Italy and Ireland.

Could’ve used a hand-off

Jeremy Summers, chair of the independent disciplinary panel who heard the case, said: “The player had sufficient time and opportunity to have executed a lawful hand-off but failed to do so.

“The contact he then made to an opponent’s head was direct, at speed and involved a leading forearm, all of which are factors pointing to high danger and a red card in the World Rugby Head Contact Process (HCP).

“No low danger or mitigating factors were present and, whilst some may feel it resulted in a harsh outcome, the referee correctly applied the HCP.”

READ MORE: Scotland: Mark Bennett eyes back-to-back Six Nations wins, starting with Italy in Rome