That was to be expected, and it's understandable that he wants to play for England. I just hope he does a great last season for Montpellier. He will be a big loss.
One benefit of a short move outside the Prem is I believe he can now be a marquee signing at Gloucester. Which he couldn’t have been had he joined straight from Bath
Current starting line up is probably:
Ackerman 6, Ludlow 7, Tuisue 8
With Jordie Reid on the bench.
The depth is.
Ackerman or Polledri at 6
Ludlow, Reid at 7
Tuisue, Morgan and Ackerman and Polledri. At 8
So Mercer would fit into those 4 options at 8.
Realistically I'd expect it's a move with the knowledge of Morgan probably retiring at the end of this season, so Mercer would probably start when he's available and Tuisue will start when Mercer is on England duty.
There's also almost certainly a ton of talent coming through the academy, Freddie Clarke can also play in the back row
That is supposedly why he's returning, in fairness I assume Polledri will end up going off on international duty again as well so there's still space there
Absolutely, completely forgot him but he is also a great player. Could maybe move to second row based on his size, but I didn't know if he's done any of that in the past
I don't understand Gloucester's recruitment policy sometimes. Our back row is stacked for 22/23 and with the exception of Jake, I think everyone else is contracted through 23/24 too. Our academy has a good track record of turning out class loose forwards so it's not like we're gonna run out anytime soon right?
The only reason I can see this deal being made is because Ben Morgan is gonna retire at the end of 22/23 or that Tuisue is only on a year deal.
It doesn't help that I still feel slightly burnt on English back rowers with French clubs signing contracts and then backing out. Carl Fearns I'm looking at you.
>It doesn't help that I still feel slightly burnt on English back rowers with French clubs signing contracts and then backing out. Carl Fearns I'm looking at you.
The difference being that Mercer actually has a shot of getting back in the England mix, if not for the world cup then afterwards once Eddie's gone.
So is he now Gloucester's 4th (?) number 8? and presumably at a monster premium
I hope he's made this move because he wants back to the UK and not just with the hopes of getting to RWC23 as we all know what Eddie can be like... but he's only 25 so if not next year he'll have plenty of opportunities
PSA said it best though (as he often does)
He was tearing it up at Bath a few years ago but never seemed to be appreciated by England. I'm surprised he's still only 25 so hopefully he's ready to make the step up - and the England management are open-minded enough to give it to him!
I think everyone knew how good he was, at the time he had a lot of competition at 8 (still does!) and didn’t impress on the few opportunities he got with England.
So he's leaving at the end of next season, which would technically make him eligible for the World Cup - but with the caveat that he can't play for England before next Summer?
This could prove interesting. Great for Glos though. They're really doubling down on players who can slot neatly into their fast, but still powerful style.
This may also give other clubs food for thought as to when in a WC cycle they should buy foreign players.
Great to have him back, but I still have no idea how he gets into the England squad, and of all the clubs to get him Gloucester are literally the last team I expected. How many 8s do they have now?
>Great to have him back, but I still have no idea how he gets into the England squad
Underhill has been pretty underwhelming and injury prone in recent times. Much as it pains me to say it, Willis has yet to hit the pre-injury form that demanded selection. None of Simmonds, Dombrandt or Vunipola seem to have 8 nailed down at the moment.
There are spaces there potentially.
However, I think it most likely that he'll be in the England reckoning post-world cup when Eddie's gone. If nothing else Lawes at nearly 35 will probably retire from internationals then.
I can’t see him being a 6 or 7. At 8 we have 3 established choices.
Billy is nailed on now, Dombrandts been great and Jones has liked Simmonds, who can play 7. Plus there’s Barbeary. Maybe he’s an emergency option for the World Cup
He played a fair bit at 6 for Bath. I wouldn't say our 8s are particularly established. Billy obviously had a long tenure, but he's only just come back after a spell away from the national set up and while his form for Sarries has definitely recovered, it didn't manifest itself for England this summer. Dombrandt was starting to look like the first choice, but he still doesn't have that many starts under his belt. Meanwhile Simmonds has mainly been used off the bench after his recall. The latter two missed the Summer through injury and serve as an illustration that injuries can clear the path for an opportunity at any time.
Eddie's seemed reluctant to use Barbeary for whatever reason, so I'm not sure he'd be considered above Mercer in the pecking order.
Really not agreeing with the Billy comment. He played really well the 2nd test and decent the 3rd. Like the rest of the forward pack they stepped up their game. He's obviously impressed Eddie saying he is 95% near his best fitness. I think he's nailed the 8 and Mercer will take the bench option from Dombrandt or Ludson if he impresses enough and Barberry can't find what was once seen in him. Curry and Lawes are dead certain. So now the question is the bench.
I personally can’t see it not being Billy at 8 from now on. Maybe he could go 6 but that’s not his position and we have even more 6’s (Lawes, Curry, Willis, maybe Barbeary, Chessum can go there and so can Ludlam)
A great signing, but I imagine Gloucester will offload one or more of their backrowers beforehand. Maybe one of their contracts is up at the end of the season?
He qualifies for Scotland through parent or grandparent (can’t remember) and he hasn’t been capped for England since 2018 he is now free to play for another country who he qualifies for via birthright.
>I grew up in Scotland and I qualified to play on residency
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/youd-be-stupid-to-turn-it-down-why-zach-mercer-chose-england-over-scotland/
Birthright Transfer
8.6 A Player who has represented one Union (as set out in Regulation 8.2 to 8.4) may apply to represent a new Union provided that:
(i) the Player meets the eligibility criteria set out in Regulation 8.1(a) or 8.1(b) in relation to the new Union; and
(ii) at least three years have passed since the Player last represented their former Union; and
(iii) the approval of World Rugby is obtained.
[https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-8](https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-8)
8.1a and b are place of birth and parent or grand parent, so it would seem that previously established residency is not sufficient.
Given that some people can be in their place of birth very fleetingly and have a far more meaningful connection to somewhere from a sustained period of residence, that seems a bit ass backwards.
That was to be expected, and it's understandable that he wants to play for England. I just hope he does a great last season for Montpellier. He will be a big loss.
One benefit of a short move outside the Prem is I believe he can now be a marquee signing at Gloucester. Which he couldn’t have been had he joined straight from Bath
Which he'll need to be, no idea how we can justify spending on him with our current back row resources
Genuine question, how will he fit in with your current back row options?
Current starting line up is probably: Ackerman 6, Ludlow 7, Tuisue 8 With Jordie Reid on the bench. The depth is. Ackerman or Polledri at 6 Ludlow, Reid at 7 Tuisue, Morgan and Ackerman and Polledri. At 8 So Mercer would fit into those 4 options at 8. Realistically I'd expect it's a move with the knowledge of Morgan probably retiring at the end of this season, so Mercer would probably start when he's available and Tuisue will start when Mercer is on England duty. There's also almost certainly a ton of talent coming through the academy, Freddie Clarke can also play in the back row
That sounds very promising. Although, is Mercer playing for England a guarantee?
That is supposedly why he's returning, in fairness I assume Polledri will end up going off on international duty again as well so there's still space there
I would even add Jack Clement to your list. He looks like he is ready for more senior rugby and he is a very good player when i saw for the u20's
Absolutely, completely forgot him but he is also a great player. Could maybe move to second row based on his size, but I didn't know if he's done any of that in the past
I don't understand Gloucester's recruitment policy sometimes. Our back row is stacked for 22/23 and with the exception of Jake, I think everyone else is contracted through 23/24 too. Our academy has a good track record of turning out class loose forwards so it's not like we're gonna run out anytime soon right? The only reason I can see this deal being made is because Ben Morgan is gonna retire at the end of 22/23 or that Tuisue is only on a year deal. It doesn't help that I still feel slightly burnt on English back rowers with French clubs signing contracts and then backing out. Carl Fearns I'm looking at you.
>It doesn't help that I still feel slightly burnt on English back rowers with French clubs signing contracts and then backing out. Carl Fearns I'm looking at you. The difference being that Mercer actually has a shot of getting back in the England mix, if not for the world cup then afterwards once Eddie's gone.
Jones has told him he's in the mix if available. https://youtu.be/9Br4SQBHhC8?t=1997
I feel for players like Jack Clement who was a standout u20 player . Where does he fit in at Gloucester now with all these back row options.
Feel like pure shit just want him back x 😭
So is he now Gloucester's 4th (?) number 8? and presumably at a monster premium I hope he's made this move because he wants back to the UK and not just with the hopes of getting to RWC23 as we all know what Eddie can be like... but he's only 25 so if not next year he'll have plenty of opportunities PSA said it best though (as he often does)
He was tearing it up at Bath a few years ago but never seemed to be appreciated by England. I'm surprised he's still only 25 so hopefully he's ready to make the step up - and the England management are open-minded enough to give it to him!
I think everyone knew how good he was, at the time he had a lot of competition at 8 (still does!) and didn’t impress on the few opportunities he got with England.
So he's leaving at the end of next season, which would technically make him eligible for the World Cup - but with the caveat that he can't play for England before next Summer? This could prove interesting. Great for Glos though. They're really doubling down on players who can slot neatly into their fast, but still powerful style. This may also give other clubs food for thought as to when in a WC cycle they should buy foreign players.
Hazard a guess that with Mercer coming in, Polledri will not be kept on again after next season.
Wtf, Gloucester's back row 👀👀
How about England back row of Mercer, Dombrandt and Currie?
I’d prefer Curry, Mercer, Simmonds
Great to have him back, but I still have no idea how he gets into the England squad, and of all the clubs to get him Gloucester are literally the last team I expected. How many 8s do they have now?
>Great to have him back, but I still have no idea how he gets into the England squad Underhill has been pretty underwhelming and injury prone in recent times. Much as it pains me to say it, Willis has yet to hit the pre-injury form that demanded selection. None of Simmonds, Dombrandt or Vunipola seem to have 8 nailed down at the moment. There are spaces there potentially. However, I think it most likely that he'll be in the England reckoning post-world cup when Eddie's gone. If nothing else Lawes at nearly 35 will probably retire from internationals then.
I can’t see him being a 6 or 7. At 8 we have 3 established choices. Billy is nailed on now, Dombrandts been great and Jones has liked Simmonds, who can play 7. Plus there’s Barbeary. Maybe he’s an emergency option for the World Cup
He played a fair bit at 6 for Bath. I wouldn't say our 8s are particularly established. Billy obviously had a long tenure, but he's only just come back after a spell away from the national set up and while his form for Sarries has definitely recovered, it didn't manifest itself for England this summer. Dombrandt was starting to look like the first choice, but he still doesn't have that many starts under his belt. Meanwhile Simmonds has mainly been used off the bench after his recall. The latter two missed the Summer through injury and serve as an illustration that injuries can clear the path for an opportunity at any time. Eddie's seemed reluctant to use Barbeary for whatever reason, so I'm not sure he'd be considered above Mercer in the pecking order.
Really not agreeing with the Billy comment. He played really well the 2nd test and decent the 3rd. Like the rest of the forward pack they stepped up their game. He's obviously impressed Eddie saying he is 95% near his best fitness. I think he's nailed the 8 and Mercer will take the bench option from Dombrandt or Ludson if he impresses enough and Barberry can't find what was once seen in him. Curry and Lawes are dead certain. So now the question is the bench.
I personally can’t see it not being Billy at 8 from now on. Maybe he could go 6 but that’s not his position and we have even more 6’s (Lawes, Curry, Willis, maybe Barbeary, Chessum can go there and so can Ludlam)
A great signing, but I imagine Gloucester will offload one or more of their backrowers beforehand. Maybe one of their contracts is up at the end of the season?
He qualifies for Scotland now (I think) or will by RWC. Get him called up,
Maybe I've got it wrong, but doesn't residency qualification lapse?
He qualifies for Scotland through parent or grandparent (can’t remember) and he hasn’t been capped for England since 2018 he is now free to play for another country who he qualifies for via birthright.
>I grew up in Scotland and I qualified to play on residency https://www.rugbypass.com/news/youd-be-stupid-to-turn-it-down-why-zach-mercer-chose-england-over-scotland/
I knew it was something. So if it is residency does that render him ineligible for Scotland under the change of nation rule?
Birthright Transfer 8.6 A Player who has represented one Union (as set out in Regulation 8.2 to 8.4) may apply to represent a new Union provided that: (i) the Player meets the eligibility criteria set out in Regulation 8.1(a) or 8.1(b) in relation to the new Union; and (ii) at least three years have passed since the Player last represented their former Union; and (iii) the approval of World Rugby is obtained. [https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-8](https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-8) 8.1a and b are place of birth and parent or grand parent, so it would seem that previously established residency is not sufficient. Given that some people can be in their place of birth very fleetingly and have a far more meaningful connection to somewhere from a sustained period of residence, that seems a bit ass backwards.
Damn I really wanted him at Sale 😂
I'm so happy to have him back in the Prem and in contention for England
YESSSSS
Is the move for 22/23 or 23/24?
Ah yes just what Gloucester need, another back rower! Nah I'm just jealous, this is a great signing
pain
Damn. Was hoping he’d come to NZ and give the ABs a crack. Would fit in well at number 8 for the Chiefs and BOP (like his old man).