Montpellier poach rising English sensation
TRANSFER TALK: Bath Rugby’s young back row Zach Mercer has signed with French club Montpellier – ending his future chances of playing for England in the process.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad confirmed that Mercer had agreed to terms for next season.
The French club has been a big spender on foreign players in recent years, making Springbok Handre Pollard the game’s highest-paid 10 last year, signing him after a big deal for All Black Aaron Cruden didn’t pay off.
The club was reportedly engaged in a tug-of-war for the services of 2019 Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit before the Stormers loose forward decided to stay put in South Africa. They have now secured one of England’s upcoming loose forward talents instead for next season.
The 23-year-old Mercer was capped in 2018 by Eddie Jones and played two tests in the November internationals, coming off the bench against the Springboks and Japan. After the infamous Owen Farrell tackle on Andre Esterhuizen, Mercer won the ensuing ruck penalty to seal the game for England.
After captaining the England under-20 side, he was tipped to be a regular international starter but will now forego England-eligibility by taking up a deal offshore in Top 14.
England’s congested back row stocks made it difficult for Mercer to see more caps, with the likes of Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Sam Underhill, Jack Willis, Ted Hill, Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson preferred by Jones while other Premiership standouts Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt have also struggled to get selected, highlighting the depth at England’s disposal.
Source: @DailyMail
