Mercer move ‘concrete’, say reports

» ZACH Mercer is heading to Gloucester Rugby on a four-year deal, affirm the latest reports coming out of France.

Earlier this month, rumours of the number eight star returning to the Gallagher Premiership with the Cherry and Whites circulated, with the former Bath man linked with a move to his old club’s fiercest rivals ahead of the 2023/24 season.

And on Tuesday night, the Montpellier president Mohed Altrad – once linked to a takeover of Gloucester – seemed to confirm Mercer’s departure.

Mercer asked to be released from his contract by MHR, to be eligible for selection by England for the 2023 World Cup.

Midi Libre, the French newspaper that covers Montpellier – the Top 14 club Mercer has become the star of in the last 14 months since leaving Bath – has also reported the explosive and elusive number eight will sign a four-year deal to join Gloucester next June.

The report reads: “The rumour had been circulating for several weeks and has now found a concrete echo. Zach Mercer, Top 14 superstar last season, will leave the MHR at the end of his contract next June to join Gloucester.

“According to our information, a long-term contract has been put on the table (three or four years).”

The seemingly imminent move comes following conversations with England head coach Eddie Jones, who travelled out to France specifically to watch the 25-year-old during his blockbuster 2021/22 season and is keen for him to be eligible for selection again.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, England only select players plying their trade in this country and Jones’ interest comes despite number eight being a position of real strength, with Harlequins star Alex Dombrandt and Exeter Chiefs’ dynamic Sam Simmonds as primary options.

Mercer has not played for England since the autumn of 2018, when he won two caps against South Africa and Japan under Jones, but he has been one of the form number eights in Europe in the last year.

Montpellier director of rugby, Philippe Saint-andre, who started his coaching career at Kingsholm in the late 1990s, spoke about Mercer’s future earlier this month.

He said: “He is fulfilled here. We offered him to continue, but the England coach has asked him to come back.

“I would understand Zach’s choice to leave, even more so when there’s a World Cup on the horizon.

“It’s a shame, the English are realising he’s good when he is in Montpellier (laughs).”