I’ll provide the extra edge that Eddie wants up front

ZACH Mercer is ready to answer England’s call for a No.8 capable of facing down the might of South Africa’s Duane Vermeulen and All Blacks skipper Kieran Read.

With Billy Vunipola and Sam Simmonds ruled out of the series through injury and Nathan Hughes suspended until the match against Australia on November 24, Bath back row Mercer has the perfect opportunity to state his credentials on the world stage.

Close to being capped against Italy during the Six Nations only for illness to intervene, Mercer was unlucky in June when lack of game time for his club following a neck injury suffered in March ruled him out of contention for the tour of South Africa.

Now, however, the effervescent 21-year-old is ready to stake his claim. Mercer told The Rugby Paper: “It’s so unfortunate that all these other boys are out and it’s freakish really, but if I get an opportunity I’ll put my hand up.

“I’ve been in and around the England camp for a year now, even longer, and played against the Baa Baas, so I’ve had a taste and if I’m not ready now, I probably never will be.

“I was close during the Six Nations before illness ruled me out and was a travelling reserve against Wales before doing my neck, so I was pretty unlucky then.

“Getting into the squad is one thing, though, and what I’ve now got to do is fight for a Test spot. That battle starts now and I’m ready for this challenge.”

The challenge of facingoff against South Africa and New Zealand holds no fear for Mercer, who adds: “Duane Vermeulen and Kieran Read are different players and Read’s more similar to what I am – a ball-player who likes to get into the slightly wider channels.

“But I can carry in the tighter areas as well and I’ve played against the likes of Victor Vito and Jerome Kaino, who I faced last week, and done pretty well.

“I’ve played against Vermeulen in the past so it’s nothing new to me. I’ve faced world-class opposition before so for me it doesn’t make any difference.”

Physically, Mercer, left, is no Vunipola or Hughes and he knows his defence will be tested. However, he added: “I’m in better shape this year, stronger, more physical and I feel like I’m making more dominant tackles and holding players up at the breakdown. “There are areas of my game I’m still improving in attack and defence, but hopefully the opinion of people watching is that I can defend as well as attack. I’m just desperate to get that England shirt on now because it’s what I’ve been working towards.”