CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 20-F)
of MERANT plc of our report dated July 23, 2001, except Note 17, as to which the
date is September 20, 2001, included in the 2001 Annual Report to Shareholders
of MERANT plc in respect of the U.S. format financial statements.

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 July
23, 2001, except Note 17, as to which the date is September 20, 2001, 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, 2001 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
November 14, 2001