"Erm, what?" - France targeted shock call-up for former England star
Rugby NewsSunday, 05 March 2023 at 07:00
Number 8 Zach Mercer will return to England in the summer, signing with Gloucester after a two-year spell with Montpellier.
The 25-year-old will join the Cherry and Whites despite contemplating a return to Bath.
Mercer has impressed in France, and has revealed he was asked to stay and represent Les Blues
He told the Mail Online: ‘Fabien Galthie’s from Montpellier so he comes down to training sometimes. We’ve had a few conversations on the touchline and he’s said, “Why don’t you stay and play for France?”
‘I really like him as a coach. Whether what he said was tongue in cheek or not, I’m not sure! It’s hard to tell when you’re speaking in a second language.
"If I lived here for another three years it would be an option. But I want to play for England. That’s my dream. I’m 100 per cent clear on that. If it doesn’t happen this year, I know I’m young enough to have another shot.’
Mercer revealed that he almost joined another Premiership club prior to signing with Gloucester.
"I spoke to a few clubs and narrowed it down to Gloucester and Bath. Bath will always have a place in my heart. I spoke to Johann van Graan there but it didn’t work out. When I visited Gloucester, I knew it was the place I want to be."
"I love the tribal nature of Kingsholm. That’s what it’s like out here in France. Fans booing and screaming in your face.
"The opportunity to work alongside guys like Lewis Ludlow, Ruan Ackermann and Albert Tuisue, Matias Alemanno, Freddie Clarke. I loved meeting George Skivington.
"You can see how much he cares. He told me he believes I should be in the England set-up and you want a coach that cares about you and believes in you. I know you don’t just walk in, though. You have to earn it.’
5 England stars who could play against Steve Borthwick’s side at the World Cup
Willi Heinz of England takes part in a training session during England Rugby Media Access at Pennyhill Park Hotel on August 23, 2019, Bagshot, England. (Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
The latest eligibility laws by World Rugby have created a possibility for several renowned England players to represent a different country from their initial capped one, both in the present and upcoming years.
These new regulations state that players can meet the transfer qualification criteria by abstaining from Test rugby for three years and being either born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent who was born there.
This change could result in several English players changing their national allegiances in time for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Although some players are more likely to do so than others, here we discuss five players who could potentially switch.
#1. ALEX LOZOWSKI - TO ITALY
Number of caps: 5
Lozowski, who has an Italian grandmother, could take advantage of the new World Rugby rules surrounding eligibility.
The Saracens star, who won the last of his six England caps in 2018, could swap with immediate effect following the rule change and has been approached by Italy boss Kieran Crowley.
He's also been in contact with Italian qualified speedsters Louis Lynagh and Paulo Odogowu, who are both currently uncapped.
“I have been in contact. I haven’t personally been in contact with Paolo but he has been contacted,” Crowley said at the Six Nations launch.
“The other two [Lozowski and Lynagh] I have spoken to personally. They have made decisions at the moment that I respect. I support them. I’ll keep in contact with them. But certainly if they were available, we’d certainly be looking at them. They are all quality players.
“We will keep the lines of communication open. Not only with those three but there are a number of others as well.”
Pablo Matera of Argentina on the break slipping the tackle from Sam Underhill of England Rugby and then tackled by Alex Lozowski of England Rugby during the International Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England v Argentina on 11th November 2017 at Twickenham Stadium, London, England (Photo:Phil Mingo/PPAUK),
#2. WILLI HEINZ - TO NEW ZEALAND
Number of caps: 13
The scrum-half, who represented England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, returned to his native New Zealand after departing Worcester Warriors.
Signing with the Crusaders for the 2023 Super Rugby season, he has every chance of impressing, and is eligible for a call-up in the summer having not played for England in March 2020.
Heinz played for and captained Canterbury in New Zealand’s ITM Cup and also played for Christchurch-based Crusaders in Super Rugby before he joined Gloucester ahead of the 2015/16.
Having qualified to play for England, Heinz won 13 caps between 2019 and 2020 and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Willi Heinz of England takes part in a training session during England Rugby Media Access at Pennyhill Park Hotel on August 23, 2019, Bagshot, England. (Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
#3. ZACH MERCER - TO NEW ZEALAND
Number of caps: 2
Making waves in the Top 14 and Europe with Montpellier, Mercer pulling on the famous All Black jersey would be as shocking a switch of nationality that the game has ever seen.
Described as ‘fat and lazy’ by England boss Eddie Jones before his international debut, this would be the ultimate way to prove the Aussie wrong.
The only drawback to the switch is to become eligible for New Zealand he’d have to join one of their Super Rugby sides.
He will instead return to the Premiership with Gloucester in a bid to impress Steve Borthwick.
Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#4. NATHAN HUGHES - TO FIJI
Number of caps: 22
Hughes, who grew up in the sugar cane town of Lautoka on the west coast of the main Fijian island of Viti Levu, has. revealed that he has full support from the RFU to swap nations.
Gallagher Man of the Match Nathan Hughes of Bath Rugby on his Bath Rugby debut during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at the Recreation Ground on 28 Jan. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. DENNY SOLOMONA - TO SAMOA
Number of caps: 5
The former Sale Sharks wing could play for Samoa having not added to his five caps for England since 2017.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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