Scotland duty rules Van der Walt out of Munster
EDINBURGH coach Richard Cockerill has revealed that stand- off Jaco van der Walt will be unavailable to play against Ulster on Monday night as he prepares for a potential Scotland debut in next month’s play- off round in the Autumn Nations Cup.
The 26- year- old playmaker has just become eligible on residency grounds to represent Scotland, and will resume training with Gregor
Townsend’s squad after a spell in quarantine on his return from getting married in his native South Africa. With around 20 players denied to him by international duty or injury, Cockerill would normally be extremely eager to have Van der Walt back in his starting line- up, but on this occasion he insisted that he saw the No. 10’ s possible promotion to Test level as a sign of success for Edinburgh.
“He won’t play for us on Monday as he’ll be preparing hopefully to be involved with Scotland on the Saturday,” Cockerill said yesterday. “He has worked really hard at his game and is very committed to want to play for Scotland. We’re very proud we have another player in the squad who’ll get another opportunity in a week or so.
“I’m delighted for Jaco and for all the Scottish lads. When we started this project three years ago [ that is, when Cockerill became Edinburgh coach], we were on our arse as a club. Now we’re in a strong place with a good environment and guys are playing at the very highest level. I take a lot of satisfaction from guys getting picked.”
Cockerill also commented on the possibility of selecting internationalists due to the fixture’s timing.
“It’s a really because we play he continued.
“The PRO14 decided on Mondays and it wasn’t particularly well thought through, was it?” difficult one, on Monday,”