Welsh club to release Springbok lock

Cape Town - Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe is set to be released by his Welsh club without playing a game.

According to BBC Sport, the 34-year-old lock is set to leave the Cardiff Blues, with English Premiership club London Irish likely to be his next destination.

In January this year, the Blues signed Van der Merwe from Irish club Ulster, but he is yet to feature for them, with the Welsh club seemingly happy with their lock stocks.

Van der Merwe, who played one Test for the Springboks against the All Blacks in 2013, was a star for Ulster since joining them from the Lions in 2014.