Van der Merwe eyes Pro 12 title

Now the departing Canada international plans on signing off his six-year spell as a Warrior with a Guinness Pro12 winners' medal.

Van der Merwe was not even expected to play a part in Glasgow's play-off bid after breaking two bones in his hand last month.

But he battled back to fitness before scoring the 75th-minute touchdown - his record 40th try for the club - to rescue Gregor Townsend's side from defeat as he levelled the semi-final clash with the Irish Province at 14-14.

That then left stand-off Finn Russell facing perhaps the most important kick in Glasgow's 20-year history, but the 22-year-old showed remarkable poise as he knocked over the conversion from wide on the right touchline.

Warriors will now take on Munster in the May 30 final in Belfast in what will be Van der Merwe's final game for the club before making his Llanelli move.

He said: "Great teams are sides that when things don't go their way, like it did most of Friday night for us, they still find a way through.

"It speaks volumes for us that we hung in there even though we were behind for most of the night. We kept it close and waited for the momentum to shift before capitalising on it

"I couldn't even look as Finn lined up that kick at the end. I just stared at the ground and listened for the crowd. I don't like those kind of situations, I'm just so glad he made it.

"For a young guy to have so much pressure on his shoulders and still make it shows the quality we have in this team.

"If you saw me after the final whistle I was an absolute mess. It means everything to have got myself fit again and then scored that try.

"Glasgow has been my home for the last six years - I've actually lived here longer than I've lived in Canada. My wife is from here, my little girl was born here.

"It's a great club with a great bunch of guys, great coaches, a great support. I couldn't say more about this club and I'm just glad I was able to be part of the puzzle.

"It would be the perfect way to sign off by leading the club to the Pro12 title."