Duhan van der Merwe will feature prominently in Andy Farrell’s thoughts as he mulls over his options at wing for the Lions tour next summer.

Pulling on the famous red shirt is the pinnacle of any rugby player’s career from the home nations and that provides extra impetus for the Scotland winger to perform at his highest level this season. 

Van der Merwe is widely viewed as one of the best wingers in the world but he's refusing to be sidetracked by the Lions’ tour to Australia despite it being an obvious target.

Instead, the Edinburgh star's focus firstly on his club form and then the competition he faces at Scotland ahead of the upcoming Autumn internationals.

“I’m not looking too far ahead. I've been in Edinburgh for quite a long time and personally, I want to have my best season ever.

Read more: 

"I feel the last year or two, I’ve probably not been at my best at times for Edinburgh. So my main focus is taking it game by game, just work on my performances for Edinburgh and try to get better.

“I know it is a big year, but I have to play well for Edinburgh to actually be selected for Scotland and then hopefully play well for Scotland to be selected for the Lions. But Darcy (Graham) is back, Kyle Steyn is playing unbelievably well, there are a lot of other wingers I could mention, so there is some stiff competition there. My main focus is to play well for Edinburgh.”