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'Staggering, he lived the most euphoric first half of his career'
By Liam Heagney
French media have hailed the man of the match performance from Zach Mercer in Friday night’s Top 14 final win by Montpellier. The out-of-favour England No8, who hasn't been capped by Eddie Jones since 2018, magically rounded off his first season in France with a mesmerising first-half performance, contributing to all three tries in the opening 13 minutes of his team’s fully deserved 29-10 victory.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old quit struggling Bath last summer for an adventure across the Channel and he has ripped it up in the French league, starting in 21 of his 26 Top 14 appearances and playing a colossal 1,747 minutes.
His latest and final display of the 2021/22 season, which helped Montpellier to its first-ever Top 14 title, was warmly embraced by the critics and an assessment on rugyrama.fr captured the hype that now surrounds Mercer.
“The English back-rower Zach Mercer delivered a staggering performance. He was involved in all three Montpellier tries. We call it international class. He lived the most euphoric first half of his career.
“Let's say that this final was the most logical conclusion of an almost perfect season. Zach Mercer arrived in the off-season from Bath with a small reputation, admittedly not huge, but those who follow English rugby had glimpsed the performance of this technical and intelligent third line.
“But from there to hover like that on the Top 14… Few No8s in our championship have as much facility to play like him. What an ability to pass the ball after contact!” His second half was a little more discreet because his team had less possession of the ball… but Philippe Saint-Andre left him on the lawn until the end.
“He will have sent a very strong signal to Eddie Jones, the England coach who has ignored him in recent years. If we follow the principles laid down by the RFU, he would have to come back home to put on the white tunic.
“If that were to happen with a view to the 2023 World Cup, it would be heartbreaking for the Top 14 spectators and for the Saint-André-Mohed Altrad duo who believed in him and who put in the means to bring him to Montpellier. Let's dare to mention Zach Mercer among the best of the MHR recruitment. Some more prestigious names did not have the same performance.”
Mercer said post-game: "It's extraordinary. I can't express my feelings but this group is fantastic. I'm really very proud to be part of it. When we were leading by 20 points I said to myself that it was dangerous, we had to do very be careful not to get distracted, but after 20 minutes we had played so well. We really wanted to bring this trophy back to Montpellier."
Mercer joined Montpellier on a two-year deal with the option of a third year and the only possible loophole that might get him into the England World Cup squad while not at a Gallagher Premiership club could be if he signed a pre-contract to return to the English club game in 2023/24, presenting Jones with the opportunity to select him for the finals in France on the basis that he was committed to coming home following the tournament.
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Latest Comments
You forget that this was the 3rd Test between the AB's and the English this year. They were prepared and they knew how to keep NZ quiet. The Boks is not NZ.
The Boks is a whole other level. You overestimate England and underestimate the Boks. Clearly you haven't really looked at the teams. Besides the Irish games earlier this year, the Boks have mainly used experimental sides, even against the AB's.
Now they have chosen their best team available. They have targeted this game. The Boks mean business. Man for man, this Bok team is better. In strategy and player abilities there is no comparison and they are outmatched.
There isn't just monster strength, but unreal speed. In broken play there is currently no better team as well as defensively, not to even talk about the attacking threat, both from front and the back.
I'd say read between the lines, see what everyone is seeing, but clearly you are wearing blinders and is also putting too much emphasis on an AB's team the Boks beat twice this year, the same AB's that beaten England 3 times this year.
When Rassie gets serious, the players become machines. There is no stopping them. That bench is loaded with players that is fast, strong and have exceptional skills. This is a team not many teams will face before the 2027 WC, because the Boks doesn't use their best between WC's in one game. All experimental.
You will be proven wrong on Saturday and then you will wonder how you could have been so wrong. This Bok team means serious business. They came to conquer and not just by a close score. They want to demolish and they will. This England team at most is a 60 min team. Against the Boks that just won't cut it
Go to commentsThe main difference is that it was waaaaaay easier back then while the quality at the top end on the world rankings is much closer. One mustn't forget how Bryce Lawrence tactically decided to completely ignore refereeing the breakdown which opened the door for an Aussie win against SA at NZ home World Cup.. farcical. The other difference is that NZ won one (well - two) on home soil whilst the Boks won both away from home on the bounce having to play the top 4 sides to get there.. toughest route to glory.
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