Zach Mercer's gamble pays off as he reveals RWC ambitions

September 28, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

Zach Mercer is set to make his return to the Premiership having secured his move to Gloucester from Montpellier ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The 25-year-old has expressed his desire to represent England at the Rugby World Cup as well as his ambition to play at Twickenham.

Speaking to Sportsmail, Mercer explained his decision to leave Montpellier.

‘I love Montpellier - the group, the staff, the place - but I have a burning ambition to run out at Twickenham,’ he said.

‘I'm also at a stage where I need to take my wife home and settle down and enjoy being in England - and enjoy the new challenge ahead of me.

‘I always look for a new challenge. I could have stayed in Bath but I'm here in the Top 14 and I'm off to the Premiership next year. I gave Eddie Jones a heads up before that I’d signed for Gloucester and I will be coming back to fight for a place in the World Cup squad. He was pleased with that. Whatever happens now, the ball’s in his court.’

Mercer admitted that it was a 'gamble' to leave Bath but it is a decision that he feels was correct. Mercer won the Top 14 with Montpellier, the club's first Top 14 title in their history, and was named the competition's MVP.

'It was a gamble because Montpellier were bottom of the league but we ended up winning it - which is a credit to Philippe Saint-Andre and the coaches who have turned the place around.'

‘Would I have envisaged this year to have gone better? No, honestly.'

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