Spurned England No8 Zach Mercer linked with Top 14 U-turn - report

After only signing for Gloucester at the beginning of the season from Montpellier, No8 Zach Mercer is already attracting the interest of several Top 14 clubs over a possible return next season.

According to a report in Midi Olympique, Racing 92, Toulon and his former club Montpellier are all looking into signing the 26-year-old.

This comes after the former Top 14 player of the season missed out on the England A squad that will take on Portugal on Sunday at Welford Road.

Mercer returned to Gloucester at the end of last season with the aim of making England's World Cup squad and was tipped by many to do so. However, he was a shock omission from Steve Borthwick's initial 41-player training squad. His exile continued this Guinness Six Nations, and his exclusion from the England A squad was a further damaging blow.

Given his history in the Top 14 - not only being named player of the season in 2022, but also winning the title that year - it is unsurprising so many clubs in France are interested in the two-cap England international.

After signing a long-term deal with Gloucester, any potential buyer would have to pay a hefty fee to recruit Mercer. With wage constraints already being an issue for Racing 92 with the arrival of Owen Farrell, the report says the Parisian club are unlikely to pursue him. It also says that Toulon already have enough options in the back row.

Mercer gave no indication that he was ready to leave the Cherry and Whites on Saturday despite his England struggles, as he put in a player of the match performance in their win over the Exeter Chiefs to book their place in the Premiership Rugby Cup final.

The No8 earned the last of his two caps in November 2018 as a 21-year-old.