Au revoir Zach Mercer

I’m a little saddened by reports that Bath and England number 8 Zach Mercer is effectively putting his England career on hold by signing for Montpellier.

It’s a completely understandable decision – financially I am sure he is getting a great deal, he has an opportunity to experience a different culture (led by the example of his brother) and currently does not appear to feature in Eddie Jones’s plans (although I do firmly believe that the former England Under 20s captain should be in the England back row mix somewhere, despite the huge strength in depth that England appear to have in that department).

That said, Mercer is still only 23, so I hope he will return to these shores in a few years time a better and more experienced player and be knocking on the England door once again.

I wish him the best of luck in France.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was