Jones full of praise for ‘apprentice’ No 8 Mercer as Italy clash looms

ex-scotland U20 international, scrum-half Ben Vellacott.

England coach Jones has all but ruled Vunipola out of the quest for a third successive Six Nations title due to the broken arm he sustained on European duty for Saracens last weekend. Further thinning England’s resources in the position is the knee problem that prevents Nathan Hughes from taking part until the latter rounds, leaving Mercer and Sam Simmonds to battle it out.

“We’ll get Nathan Hughes back halfway through, possibly. He’s probably rehabbing a little bit slower than we first thought. I don’t think we’ll see Billy,” Jones said.

The losses at No 8 mean Bath’s Mercer has been elevated from apprentice to fullblown contender to start the Six Nations opener.

Jones used the term to describe Mercer when picking him and Marcus Smith in England’s training squads late last year, handing them learning briefs rather than viewing them as genuine options for inclusion in a matchday 23.

Smith is still regarded as a long-term prospect, but 20-year-old Mercer’s improvement in recent months has caught the eye of England’s management.

“The situation means he’s got a shorter apprenticeship than was first envisaged,” Jones said.

“He’s now fully available for selection. He’s done well for Bath and I’ve been really impressed by his workrate off the ball.

“There’s a certain hardness about his game. He’s always been one of those gifted boys but now he’s doing the tough things.

“I’ve been really impressed and he could certainly get an opportunity during the Six Nations.

“He’s done one hell of a lot in the period that we’ve picked him from November until now.

“He has a nice, natural skill set that enabled him to be selected in the first place and now it’s a matter of his hard work, his attitude and willingness to do the things that hurt.” As expected, Scotland flanker John Hardie has been named in the Hawick side for tomorrow’s BT Premiership clash with Watsonians at Myreside.

The match marks the Edinburgh openside’s return to rugby following a three-month suspension for “gross misconduct”.

Hardie was left out of Scotland’s Six Nations squad named this week by Gregor Townsend.