Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer has revealed his enjoyment of playing for Montpellier in France’s Top 14, particularly appreciating that “you couldn’t get picked for England”.
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The Rugby Football Union’s policy of not selecting players based overseas meant this wasn’t a concern for Mercer.
During his two seasons in France, Mercer earned two England caps in 2018, won the Top 14 title, and was named the league’s player of the year in 2022 before returning to the Premiership last season.
The 26-year-old aimed to secure a place in England’s Rugby World Cup squad last autumn but missed out on Steve Borthwick’s final selection and hasn’t added to his two caps.
In January, Mercer announced he was “done” with England after being omitted from the Six Nations squad. Known for his ball-carrying prowess, Mercer shared that Borthwick informed him he wasn’t part of his plans after attending an England camp.
“You do get work-ons and I was quite public with my opinions on it. Do I regret that opinion? Probably not,” Mercer said.
“I have been very open about mental health in rugby. I got to the stage where I had to remove myself from it and say I was done and that I can’t get picked and I can then try and enjoy my rugby.
“That is why Jack Willis is probably playing his best rugby as he doesn’t have to worry about selection.”
Borthwick’s first England call-up wants to quit and play for Six Nations rival
In his relatively short tenure of just 20 months as England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick has already faced disappointment as several of his selections have failed to make the desired impact.
Moreover, there’s already talk of one player contemplating a switch to represent another nation.
#3. Joe Cokanasiga
Next summer marks seven years since Joe Cokanasiga received his initial call-up to the England squad, an auspicious moment for the gifted teenager whose potential drew comparisons to the legendary Jonah Lomu.
Despite the high hopes surrounding him, Cokanasiga’s journey to becoming a formidable international force has encountered obstacles. With just 14 caps earned over five years, he has yet to fully realize his potential on the international stage. However, his consistent presence within the squad under the tenures of both Eddie Jones and now Steve Borthwick underscores his value as a unique talent, even if his appearances have been infrequent.
Excitement surged among fans when Cokanasiga was recalled ahead of the Rugby World Cup; however, his performance against Wales in a warm-up match failed to leave a significant mark, resulting in his omission from the tournament squad.
Though the 26-year-old has since showcased his prowess for Bath this season, earning praise for his disruptive play, he has yet to receive a recall from Borthwick.
Following his exclusion from the World Cup squad, national head coach Borthwick outlined areas for improvement to Cokanasiga, motivating the Fijian-born player to redouble his efforts.
Verdict: Time is running out