Borthwick: Mercer a contender for France

STEVE Borthwick claims Zach Mercer has “grown” into a true World Cup back row contender for during his time across the Channel. 

- GARY FITZGERALD

And the England boss is relishing the chance to help the former Bath man’s development further as a world class No. 8 as the build-up to the big kick-off in France intensifies.

Sam Simmonds’ decision to put a new club career with Montpellier ahead of any further international honours, and so opt out of being part of Borthwick’s squad, has left space for Mercer to play a potential big role in trying to help his country lift a second Webb Ellis Cup.

It is five years since he won his two Autumn Test caps against South Africa and Japan before he moved to the Top 14. But he has now shown his desire to fight for his international future by doing the reverse of Simmonds and returning to the Premiership.

He has left Montpellier, where he became a firm crowd favourite, for Gloucester, and Borthwick believes the 25-yearold is now ready to blossom in the white jersey. He reveals: “Zach and I spoke a many times over the last few months about different things.