Lurgan Rugby Club have announced the high-profile signing of former Ulster star Schalk van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe has joined the Pollock Park club as new specialist scrum coach and player.
This new position emerged from feedback handed back by Lurgan's players to coaching staff following the premature end of the rugby season.
"What an asset Schalk will be, having played as a front row forward for the Lions in South Africa and then he played in France before joining Ulster and then returned to South Africa to play for the Cheetahs," Lurgan RC said on their Facebook page.
"His last game in South Africa was playing for the Cheetahs in the semi-final of the Currie Cup against Western Province which the Cheetahs won."
The statement added: "He is still only 28 and is now living in Lurgan.
"What a senior coaching set-up we now have with Bruce Cornelius, Jason Wallace, Chris Allen and now Schalk Van Der Merwe.
"Schalk is raring to go and get training with his new team mates the moment the lockdown is over."
The club added: "We also welcome Paula (Schalk's wife) and his sons to the club. All of them are future Lurgan Tigers.
"We will also be calling on our Irish Internationals to talk to all of our existing and a list of new players over the next short while.
"More signings to follow. Watch this space."
