George Skivington, the head coach of Gloucester, is optimistic that Zach Mercer’s exceptional talent can earn him a spot in England’s summer tour squad for matches against New Zealand and Japan.
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Mercer, who is 26 years old, has not played for England since 2018, but Skivington believes that his skills as a No8 player will catch the attention of the national team selectors during this weekend’s Challenge Cup final.
Skivington said: “All of the players involved in those games have a chance to show (England) what they can do. Zach is unique and there isn’t anyone in the Premiership who can do what he can do. It depends what Steve wants to do with the tour and it is a competitive position.
“Zach is right on the edge and whenever I speak to Steve he is right in the picture and is right in the conversation – he is not being dismissed. It will probably be about how players go and the big games over the next two weeks and every game from now on is a big game.”
The Gloucester head coach is wary of the threats the Sharks bring in the cup final, saying that his side will do “all they can” to bring home their third Challenge Cup trophy.
“They have got a lot of high-profile players, a lot of individuals that can do things out of nowhere.
“That goes as well from backline, wingers to (Eben) Etzebeth in the second row and world cup winning front rowers,” said the former London Irish forwards coach.
‘They have got a lot of guys who can change a game in a moment, and we have to be as ready as you can be for that.
“We have to trust in our process, we have got to trust in what we do and when we get that right we play good rugby and feel pretty good. Sharks are a huge opposition, many household names in there.”
Four England players who could swap nations
#1. Zach Mercer
Mercer’s choice to return from France and commit to Gloucester last summer was a clear signal of his eagerness to rejuvenate his Test career with the English national rugby team.
However, the relationship between head coach Steve Borthwick and Mercer has been less than perfect the last 12 months
Mercer said: “I’ve been open with Steve, I’ve told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven’t really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.
“I just don’t feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that’s me being honest, I don’t think he values what I can bring.
“Obviously I don’t fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is.
“My focus now is on Gloucester and England can take a step aside for the moment.”
Borthwick response:
“Zach and I had a conversation last week. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last couple of weeks with Zach since he’s come back from injury.
“We’ve highlighted areas where players have done well and the areas where they bring a point of difference. It’s a competitive arena.
“And [we highlight] areas where we want them to develop them and add to their game. That’s the same conversation I had with Zach.
“When I’m talking to a player, I’m basing it in objectivity. I’m basing it on targets for them to go after, and then we can shape a shared understanding of what we’re seeing.
“Granted, sometimes as a coach you want something specific in
Nations swap:
It’s noteworthy that the versatile number eight holds the option to switch his allegiance to New Zealand.
This possibility arises due to his eligibility for the All Blacks, facilitated by his father’s illustrious rugby league career that encompassed 21 Test appearances for the New Zealand team.
