Mercer return helps lift Bath into top four

Zach Mercer put forward a compelling case to Eddie Jones for the England No 8 shirt after marking his return from a four-month injury layoff with a try in Bath’s narrow win at Worcester.

It took just 90 seconds for the powerful 22-year-old to unleash his frustrations on the Warriors after a knee injury had him sidelined for the longest period of his fledgling career.

Despite his long absence, Mercer gave a faultless performance in the eye of Storm Dennis eight days out from England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland as Bath leapt up the Gallagher Premiership table into the play-off places.

Cornell Du Perez cancelled out the opening score as Worcester went in at half-time in front. But quick-fire tries from Bath skipper Francois Louw and Josh McNally were enough to claim victory, although Nick David got Worcester to within a point.

“It was my first game back for Bath, an international call is still probably pretty far away, whatever happens will happen,” said Mercer. “I haven’t heard from Eddie since before the World Cup. There are loads of No8s playing well in the Premiership at the moment so all I can do is perform for Bath.”

Anton Bresler let the ball slip through his grasp in the build-up to Mercer’s opening try. Rhys Priestland converted and added a penalty to cancel out one from Duncan Weir.

Warriors hit back and Francois Hougaard sent Du Preez through for a try that was converted by Weir to level the scores. Weir then landed a penalty to make it 13-10 at the interval.

Bath began the second period much like the first to get their noses back in front. Graham Kitchener saw yellow after impeding Will Chudley’s quick tap and go without retreating 10 before the Bath onslaught began.

The resistance held firm until Louw got under a tackler at the fringe and forced his way over. Priestland added the extras to give Bath a four-point lead, and he was lining up another conversion five minutes later as they made the most of their man advantage.

McNally then barged over to put daylight between the sides.

Worcester replacement Sam Lewis made an instant impact as he scythed through the defence and sent a perfect pass into the hands of David, who sprinted in at the corner to mark his Premiership debut with a try.

Weir failed to put his side ahead with the conversion, but they had one last chance to snatch it with the final kick of the game. Chris Pennell decided to have a 60-metre shot at the posts with the wind but the ball drifted just wide.