Gloucester’s number eight, Zach Mercer, has declared that he’s taking a break from England duty for the time being, expressing his disappointment at being excluded from the upcoming Six Nations Championship squad.
Mercer, who earned two caps in 2018, made a return to the Premiership this season following a two-year stint in France, with the primary goal of representing his country once again.
Despite his efforts, he faced another setback as he was left out of the World Cup squad last autumn.
“I’m older, more mature, I put the international selection aside now, I’m done for the time being with that and I’m just going to focus on Gloucester,” Mercer told BBC Sport.
“To come back and get given three weeks in a training camp and that was it, I was really disappointed with that,
“I’ve been open with Steve, I’ve told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven’t really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.
“I just don’t feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that’s me being honest, I don’t think he values what I can bring.
“Obviously I don’t fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is.
“My focus now is on Gloucester and England can take a step aside for the moment.”
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Richest Rugby Players:
6. Owen Farrell (England) – £2.6m
The Farrell family currently resides in Hertfordshire, England, where they lead a private and family-oriented life, away from the glare of the public eye. While Georgie may choose to stay out of the limelight, her presence and support have undoubtedly played a significant role in Owen’s success, both on and off the rugby field.
Their net worth is reported to be around £2.58m.
5. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) – £11.6m
Despite his early exit from Toronto, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner still finds himself on the list. Starring in multiple sports; rugby league, rugby union and boxing, Williams has been in demand and has made good money down the years from numerous huge contracts.
Sonny Bill Facts:
- His actual full name is Sonny William Williams
- Williams’s younger sister, Niall, is a New Zealand former international touch football captain and current New Zealand rugby sevens player
- He was only the second person to represent New Zealand in rugby union after first playing for the country in rugby league
- Williams is one of only 21 players to have won the Rugby World Cup twice
- He onverted to Islam in 2009, while in France playing for Toulon