1
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 20-F)
of MERANT plc of our report dated June 26, 2000, except paragraph 2 of Note 16,
as to which the date is September 1, 2000, included in the 2000 Annual Report to
Shareholders of MERANT plc.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 333-24867, 333-45701, 333-65027 and 333-92819) pertaining to the
employee share plans named on the facing sheets thereof of our report dated June
26, 2000, except paragraph 2 of Note 16, as to which the date is September 1,
2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of MERANT plc
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended
April 30, 2000 in respect of the U.S. format financial statements.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of MERANT plc listed
in Item 19 (a) 2. This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In
our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



McLean, Virginia
October 24, 2000