Zach Mercer set to leave Gloucester for Toulon after England snubbed

Zach Mercer has been linked with Toulon, whose squad is packed with former Premiership players – Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images Europe

Zach Mercer is set to leave Gloucester at the end of the season to return to France, having been overlooked by England since returning to the Premiership last year.

The number 8 has been linked with Toulon, whose squad is packed with former Premiership players including Lewis Ludlam, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Ben White and Dan Biggar.

Mercer returned to the Premiership last year after an impressive spell with Montpellier, which saw him named the Top 14 player of the year after helping the club win their first league title in 2022. He then joined Gloucester on what was described as a long-term deal.

The 27-year-old number eight was tipped to be in England’s Rugby World Cup squad after his efforts in France but was one of the first to be left out of England’s World Cup qualifying camps last summer.

Speculation linking Mercer with a return to France has continued since, having made 21 appearances for Gloucester last season, scoring four tries.

Zach Mercer has said he hopes to have — Zach Mercer said he hopes to have “more time and opportunity” to prove he deserves to play for England – Getty Images Sport/Ryan Pierse

Mercer: I came back to fight for the England shirt

Since joining Gloucester, Mercer has spoken openly about his relationship with England manager Steve Borthwick and his absence from the England squad. He won the last of his two caps in the November 2018 Tests.

“I came back and was very clear and honest about why I was doing it, to fight for the England shirt. Obviously that didn’t happen,” Mercer said ahead of the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.

“I never thought I would be guaranteed to win this jersey. Would I have liked to have had more time and opportunities to try to prove myself? Yes.”

Reports in France linked Mercer to Toulon as recently as last week, with Toulon owner Bernard Lemaitre praising Mercer’s skills in April.

Lemaitre said: “Who doesn’t dream of this type of player who, in addition to being a tank, brings others into play behind him, animates and accelerates the game? It’s rare. So it’s normal that we’re interested in him.”

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