Zac Mercer responded strongly to disrespect from the England squad on Saturday with a man-of-the-match performance against Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
The powerful No. 8 won just two caps for England in 2018 and moved from Montpellier to Gloucester at the start of the season in a bid to rekindle his Test career.
The 26-year-old had a fantastic spell at Montpellier between 2021 and 2023, winning the Top 14 title with the club and being named in the Top 14 Players for the 2022 season.
He was invited to a training camp in the lead-up to the World Cup, but failed to play in any matches for qualification, and was most recently left out of the Six Nations squad, missing England A's match against Portugal.
Man of the Match performance
Making his first appearance since being left out of Steve Borthwick's selected England A squad, Mercer put aside disappointment to lead the Cherry and Whites to the Premiership Rugby Cup final, defeating Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm Stadium. We defeated them 17-14.
The semi-final was a closely contested affair, but in the end it was the brilliance of Mercer, who scored two of the West Country team's three tries, that made the difference between the Cherry and Whites.
Gloucester forced a turnover six minutes into the game, but the No. 8 responded quickly by bursting through the defense from the back of the ruck and playing a fine dummy ball to captain Lewis Ludlow's plate.
A little lesson from @Mercer8Zach 🤌
and @LewisLudlow94 I'll leave it behind @gloucesterrugby Please control it early 🫡
Watch the game live @rugbyontnt 📺#premrugbycup #glove exepic.twitter.com/4rXZgMwSul
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 17, 2024
Mercer were back in front after Max Llewellyn scored the hosts' second try with a well-placed run from an angle close to the line.
He received the ball inside his own 22 and used deft footwork to beat Harvey Skinner and run through the Exeter defence.
He leapt over the halfway line and then put in a deft grubber for winger Josh Hathaway to follow, and the speedster kept his cool to regroup and touch down.
Because it's outrageous @Mercer8Zach 🤯@gloucesterrugby #premrugbycup #glove exepic.twitter.com/rHCdUMOmwb
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 17, 2024
This goal gave Gloucester a 17-0 lead at half-time, and although they were unable to add to the score in the 40 minutes of the second half, it was enough to seal the victory for the Cherry and Whites.
Focus on Gloucester
Jack Vermeulen and Ross Vincent scored goals for Exeter in the second half, but it wasn't enough as Gloucester held on and booked their place in the final.
Asked after the game about the snub from England, Mercer said: “My focus is on Gloucester. Of course I came out and said that and there are some people who don't agree with that, but that's who I am.” Ta.
“I came here to focus on Gloucester and for myself. Whatever happens, if it happens, it happens. If not, I came here for the boys here. I just want to put on a performance. I've been in the shadows a little bit, so tonight I wanted to step up.”
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