Zach Mercer focused on job at Kingsholm
Zach Mercer has brushed aside speculation over his future and insists Gloucester can hit the ground running when they begin their Premiership campaign against Saracens on Saturday.
No.8 Mercer could return to France at the end of the season with reports suggesting Toulon have agreed a deal to buy the 27-year-old out of the final two years of his contract.
After scoring one of the visitors’ four tries in a 33-26 defeat at Edinburgh in their final warm-up match on Friday, Mercer said: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m a Gloucester player.”
Asked if that meant at least for this season, his response was simply: “Yes.”
Moving Forward
Regardless of whether the talented back rower returns next summer to the Top 14, where he was crowned Player of the Year after helping Montpellier to the title in 2021/22, Mercer is convinced Gloucester have put last season’s struggles behind them.
The Cherry and Whites only won five of their 18 league games, finishing a lowly ninth.
“I think it was the mental side,” Mercer said. “We kept losing and were not able to get out of it. But this year we are a strong, resilient outfit and are excited for the challenges that are going to get thrown at us.
“We’ve taken a massive step forward from last year and we are excited to get started. We are ready for Saracens.”
Saracens Challenge
Sarries, beaten by eventual champions Northampton in last season’s semi-finals, are in transition after losing captain Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers.
“You can’t deny the aura those players brought but they’ve still got Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Ben Earl,” Mercer said.
“They are a world-class outfit and we’re not naïve about the challenge we are going to face. We’ve got a lot to prove – to the fans especially. But our mindset has changed completely so we are excited for the season now.”
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