1
No Zach Mercer ban as his red card at Exeter has been rescinded
By Liam Heagney
England prospect Zach Mercer has had the controversial red card he picked up at Exeter last Sunday rescinded at a midweek disciplinary hearing. The Gloucester-bound No8 was playing for Montpellier at Sandy Park in the Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 when he was sent off for a collision with the head of Chiefs’ Christ Tshiunza.
Referee Andrew Brace believed the early second-half incident merited a red card and Mercer, who will be eligible for England selection for the upcoming Rugby World Cup after signing a 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership deal, could only look on haplessly from the stands as Montpellier went on to be eliminated on the try count rule after the match ended 33 points each after extra-time.
That agonising outcome denied the French club from securing a quarter-final versus the Stormers, but at least Mercer has now had his reputation restored by having the red card overturned. A statement read: “Zach Mercer has had the red card shown to him during his club’s round-of-16 match against Exeter dismissed following an independent disciplinary hearing.
“Mercer was sent off by referee Andrew Brace in the 50th minute of the match for tackling Exeter back row Christ Tshiunza in a dangerous manner in contravention of law 9.13.
“An independent disciplinary committee comprising David Martin (Ireland, chair), Gordon Black (Ireland) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Mercer, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.
“The committee also heard submissions from Montpellier director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre, from the French club’s defence and laws coach Alex Ruiz, from team manager Tom Whitford, and from EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Joris Loupien, was also present during the hearing.
“The committee decided that although Mercer had committed an act of foul play, the tackle did not warrant a red card. The sending-off was therefore dismissed and Mercer is free to play. EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
Go to comments