Halrequins rising star Finn Baxter is poised to join England’s squad for the upcoming summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, reports the Mail Online.
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The Mail also confirms the inclusion of seasoned tight-head prop Dan Cole in the squad slated to take on Japan in Tokyo, followed by a double-header against the formidable All Blacks in New Zealand.
In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Baxter disclosed that he deliberately left his post-domestic season schedule open, indicating his eagerness for tour selection.
“I think I’m ready. I want to play for England, I want to play for the Lions,” he said.
“That’s been my plan since the start, but I don’t like getting ahead of myself. I’m really proud of how well I’ve done this season and it would be beyond my imagination if it happens,” he expressed.
However, according to insider sources from RUCK, Zach Mercer is expected to remain excluded from the squad due to his highly publicised fallout with Steve Borthwick.
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Zach Mercer
Mercer, has declared that he’s taking a break from England duty for the time being, expressing his disappointment at being excluded from the upcoming Six Nations Championship squad.
Mercer said: “I’ve been open with Steve, I’ve told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven’t really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.
“I just don’t feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that’s me being honest, I don’t think he values what I can bring.
“Obviously I don’t fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is.
“My focus now is on Gloucester and England can take a step aside for the moment.”
Borthwick response:
“Zach and I had a conversation last week. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last couple of weeks with Zach since he’s come back from injury.
“We’ve highlighted areas where players have done well and the areas where they bring a point of difference. It’s a competitive arena.
“And [we highlight] areas where we want them to develop them and add to their game. That’s the same conversation I had with Zach.
“When I’m talking to a player, I’m basing it in objectivity. I’m basing it on targets for them to go after, and then we can shape a shared understanding of what we’re seeing.
“Granted, sometimes as a coach you want something specific in a team, I’m always looking at all the coaches and all the players that are able to provide that.”