IF desire to play for England was a factor in selection, Zach Mercer would be one of the first names on the team sheet.
The Gloucester No.8 returned to the Premiership this season after a successful couple of years in the Top 14 playing for Montpellier with the sole intent of adding to the two caps he won in 2018.
The 26-year old was immediately recalled by England and named in early squads to prepare for the World Cup, but he failed to make the cut for France when only one specialist No.8 was picked.
He started the campaign for Gloucester who opened with victories over Harlequins and Newcastle but then suffered an ankle against Saracens on the third weekend and missed the next six matches.
So desperate was he to get back that he bought an oxygen chamber to speed up his recovery and returned before Christmas, but when he failed to make the Six Nations squad he used a radio interview to reveal his exasperation.
He was then left out of the A squad for today’s match against Portugal in Leicester but responded by doing his talking on the pitch against Exeter in last weekend’s Premiership semi-final at Kingsholm when he was virtually unplayable in the opening half.
He had a hand in his side’s three tries and, in standing out, showed why he had been left out by England. Instead of charging at defenders, he used his footwork to get round them, more Zinzan Brooke than Billy Vunipola.
“I just wanted to go out and play rugby,” said Mercer, who had a break in Tenerife last week. “I just wanted to get my hands on the ball. I have been in the shadows a bit at Gloucester, not helped by injuries, and wanted to show the boys and the fans what I am about.
“I was very vocal on what I thought of the England situation. It was not ideal but I am focusing on Gloucester. Iam the wrong guy to ask about England because I do not know what is going on. It is not happening for me at the moment and that is the way it is.
“Steve (Borthwick, England’s head coach) said coaches adopt different styles. He picks the team his way which is understandable. I respect that. It is his personal preference and if he needs me, he knows where I am.
“I am not a big heavy No.8 and I have had to find other ways of doing things, as I did with Montpellier. That is my USP, like my dad (Gary Mercer) in his playing days. I guess it runs in the family.”
A report last week claimed that Mercer was looking to make a quick return to France having failed to make the England squad, but he interrupted his holiday to kick it not just into touch but out of the park.
“Rumours were bound to come out at some point with me not getting picked for the World Cup or the Six Nations, but I can put that to bed,” he said. “I am committed to being at Gloucester. I have got another three yers left a
