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Gloucester statement: Zach Mercer joins from Montpellier

(Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Zach Mercer has put himself in the shop window for England selection for the 2023 World Cup finals in France after Gloucester officially confirmed that the Montpellier No8 has signed for them for the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season. The deal will allow the ex-Bath back-rower to come in for England selection consideration from next June onwards, just in time for Jones’ squad preparations for the tournament.      

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A club statement read: “After much speculation, Gloucester Rugby is pleased to confirm the signing of Zach Mercer ahead of the 2023/24 season. The Leeds-born No8 is currently plying his trade in Montpellier, having signed for the Top 14 side in 2021 after five years with Bath Rugby. 

“With two England caps to his name – as well as 17 for England U20, including ten as captain – Mercer has made a lasting impression in France over the past twelve months. He helped secure Montpellier’s maiden Top 14 title, contributing to three first-half tries (including crossing the whitewash himself) in a man-of-the-match performance hailed by rugby fans and media alike.

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“Nominated for World Rugby junior player of the year in 2017, the 25-year-old received his first call-up to the senior England team in the same year, going on to secure his debut Test cap against Japan in the 2018 autumn internationals.”

Mercer said: “To be given the opportunity to come back and play in the Premiership with Gloucester is one that I couldn’t turn down. The loyal fans and atmosphere at Kingsholm is something I can’t wait to be part of.  

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“Alex Brown, George Skivington and the whole coaching group are building a strong team and a great environment on the field, and I believe I can add a lot of value. I can’t wait to wear the jersey in front of The Shed and be part of Gloucester’s future. I have another season here with Montpellier and I’ll be giving all my focus to the club to try to secure back-to-back titles and European cup success.”

Gloucester Rugby head coach Skivington added: “We’re building a solid group at the club with very little movement in or out, so to have secured Zach for next season is a testament to the player he is both on and off the field.  

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“His performances for Bath and Montpellier are evidence enough of his capabilities. He has a top-class work rate, outstanding ball-carrying skills and is solid in defence. He will undoubtedly bring a further dimension to add to our current back row. We have got a big season coming up, which will remain our sole focus; it’s great to have such a talent coming in to compliment the set-up next year.”

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1 Comment
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chris 795 days ago

It will be good to have him back in the premiership

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That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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