Zach Mercer Transfer Saga Takes Fresh Twist as No.8 Likely Played His Last Game for Gloucester
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The saga surrounding Zach Mercer's future at Gloucester continues to gather pace, with the club confirming they won't make any decisions until the end of the season. Speculation is rife that the dynamic No.8 could return to France, where he previously flourished with Montpellier.
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A quick bio on Mercer
Born in Leeds but raised in New Zealand, Zach Mercer made waves in rugby from an early age. After excelling at junior levels, he returned to England to launch his professional career. Mercer became a standout player at Bath, earning his England debut in 2018 under then-coach Eddie Jones. However, despite two international caps, his opportunities with England dried up, and he moved to Montpellier in 2021, where he won the Top 14 Player of the Year in 2022. He returned to the Premiership with Gloucester last year, seeking to revive his England ambitions.
The feud with Steve Borthwick
Mercer's aspirations to add to his England caps hit a brick wall under current England boss Steve Borthwick. Despite his stellar performances for Montpellier, Mercer was notably overlooked for selection. Insiders suggest the relationship between Mercer and Borthwick soured after the No.8 failed to make even the shadow 'A' squad for England. With Borthwick favouring players like Alex Dombrandt and Tom Willis, Mercer found himself on the outside looking in. This exclusion reportedly led to frustrations, with Mercer believing he wasn't given a fair shot to showcase his talent on the international stage.
French clubs circling
Contracted to Gloucester for another season, Mercer now finds himself a hot commodity for Top 14 clubs. Toulon is one of the sides said to be keeping close tabs on his situation. RUCK sources have indicated that Mercer has made his intentions clear: he wants to return to France, where his talent was not only recognised but celebrated. With the lure of returning to a league that suits his playing style and where he's already a proven star, the writing appears to be on the wall.
An unfortunate ending?
Adding to the uncertainty, Mercer's season was cut short last month following a knee injury sustained against Northampton Saints. Ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, he may have played his final game for Gloucester without fans even realising it. If he does return to France, his departure would leave a gaping hole in the Cherry and Whites' back row.
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