I am big enough for England, insists Mercer
Bath back row hopes his versatility will overrule concerns about his size, he tells Charlie Morgan
It seems as though Zach Mercer, one of Eddie Jones’s original apprentices, has been within touching distance of a Test debut for more than a year. The gifted Bath back row has narrowly missed out on selection for two consecutive summer tours. But if last season was about adding defensive “stopping power”, this autumn might just be “go” time. Even so, Mercer knows questions about his size will keep coming.
“Not all the best No8s in the world are massive,” says the 21-year-old. “The All Blacks have Kieran Read. He’s not massive. Jerome Kaino’s not massive. Warren Whiteley from South Africa is not massive. Toby Faletau – he’s not massive. I know I’ve got to get bigger but as long as I keep my speed and keep my pace and power, I’ll prove [doubters] wrong.
“I’m not standing on the scales 24/7. It’s how I feel on the pitch. If I feel good, I’m happy. If I feel sluggish or my pace feels down, I might be a bit heavy. It’s finding the right balance.”
Last Saturday’s Champions Cup match against Toulouse, which Bath lost 22-20, gave Mercer a chance to gauge the dimensions of one opposite number close up. The hard-hitting Kaino is billed at only 105kg by the Toulouse website. Still, the Top 14 outfit arrived at the Rec with a humongous pack that featured another World Cupwinning All Black, tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina, as well as leviathan lock Joe Tekori.
Mercer felt like he held his own and can be confident of selection in England’s squad for the Quilter internationals against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia. Eddie Jones has seen former England age-group internationals Sam Skinner and Jonah Holmes picked by Scotland and Wales this week. But England’s latest squad will also feature players who have represented other countries.
Zach Mercer
Bath, back row Leeds-born Mercer represented Scotland Uunder-16 and Under-17 before missing out on their Under-18 squad after signing with Bath.
Brad Shields Northampton, back row Played for New Zealand Under-20s against England in the 2011 Junior World Championship final.
Ben Te’o
Worcester, centre Won one cap for Samoa’s rugby league side, scoring two tries against France.
Squad contenders born overseas Alec Hepburn
Exeter, prop Perth, Australia
Val Rapava Ruskin Gloucester, prop Tbilisi, Georgia Mako Vunipola
Saracens, prop Wellington, New Zealand
Dylan Hartley Northampton, hooker Rotorua, New Zealand
Dave Ewers
Exeter, back row Harare, Zimbabwe Matt Kvesic
Exeter, back row Iserlohn, Germany Michael Rhodes
Saracens, back row Durban, South Africa
Don Armand
Exeter, back row Zimbabwe
Nathan Hughes
Wasps, back row Lautoka, Fiji Manu Tuilagi
Leicester, centre Fogapoa, Samoa Joe Cokanasiga
Bath, wing Fiji Harare, Billy Vunipola, Sam Simmonds and Chris Robshaw are injured and Nathan Hughes faces a suspension. Mercer, who wore eight for England in the 63-45 loss to the Barbarians five months ago, hopes versatility will count in his favour. Under Todd Blackadder, he has flitted between blindside flanker and the base of the scrum.
“Luckily at Bath, there isn’t that much change between six and eight,” Mercer adds. “The only thing that changes is where you would defend at the scrum. I still get to attack on the edge and from first-phase plays. I’ll play anywhere in the back row to get a game – six, seven, eight, 20, wherever. I’ll put my hand up.” “Attacking on the edge” – essentially hanging in the 15-metre channels to combine with outside backs – is a big strength of Mercer. Blackadder joined Bath from Crusaders, where Read became a master of that area, so likes his back rowers to hold width.
One pertinent question is whether England would use Mercer in the same way during tight Tests. Whether or not you agree with him, Jones has suggested that out-of-favour Don Armand spends too much time in the wide channels for Exeter Chiefs. Mercer suggests that England’s new attack coach Scott Wisemantel could bring a fresh approach. Whatever happens, nimble footwork is an asset in heavy traffic, too. “[Wisemantel] has awesome experience,” Mercer says. “I’ve shown with Bath that I have the ability to carry in the tight stuff as well as the edges, so I’m not fussed about that. I feel like I can always find my way to an edge, but I can also put my scrum cap on and do the dirty work.
“I might never be 130 kilos. Billy [Vunipola] and Nathan [Hughes] are world class at what they do. I can offer something a bit different. Eddie’s made a big deal about not emulating any other teams and that’s 100 per cent spot on. We’ve got to create our own brand of rugby. And I’ll play any brand of rugby that Eddie wants me to play … if he wants me to put 20 kilos on, I’ll try to do it!”
Mercer and England’s new defence coach, John Mitchell, have exchanged texts since meeting at last month’s training camp in Bristol – “just little messages to keep me on my toes”. Such surveillance bodes well.
This Saturday, Bath have an immediate opportunity to haul their European campaign back on track. Mercer, who had a decent view of Freddie Burns’s matchdefining gaffe against Toulouse, believes his team will respond away to Wasps. “Freddie’s a true professional. We all make errors. Straight after the game was a bit sensitive, but he took it on the chin and the boys have been respectful with it. On Monday and Tuesday, he had the p--- taken out of him. We’ve had a bit of a laugh and now it’s down to business.”
Jones, Wisemantel and Mitchell are sure to pay close attention to the tussle of the back rows, in which Mercer faces fellow England contender Brad Shields. Wasps, routed 52-3 by Leinster last Friday, have their own score to settle.
“I don’t think that game reflected the way Wasps are,” Mercer says. “They have world-class players throughout the pitch. They go real wide in attack from first-phase stuff so we’ll have to adjust to that. They have world-class players who have been in big-game environments for New Zealand, for England and for teams like Hurricanes. The boys are ready for that.”
Bath face Bristol Bears in The Clash at Twickenham on April 6 2019.