"Frustrated" - Zach Mercer is 'done' with England after latest snub
Rugby NewsFriday, 19 January 2024 at 13:38
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,
Zach Mercer of Gloucester Rugby on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins at Kingsholm Stadium on October 14th, 2023 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Gallagher)
"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
4. Mike Tindall (England) - £15.7m
Married into the money. His wife, Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips, is the second-eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Mike Tindall Facts:
- Tindall is married to Zara Phillips, the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, and the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
- He is regarded as one of the best players to never wear the Lions jersey, However, he did play against them as part of a Barbarians XV in 2013.
- Tindall, whose nose was famously broken at least eight times during his rugby career, underwent a surgery in 2018 which fixed the fractures.
- Mike’s sometimes nickname is “The Fridge” due to his sizeable 6ft 2inch bulk.
- Every year since 2013, Mike has hosted an event called ISPS HANDA Mike Tindall Celebrity Golf Classic, where several celebrities come together to raise money and awareness for disability groups and in aid of curing Parkinson’s disease
3) Jonny Wilkinson (England) - £16m
England's 2003 World Cup hero Wilkinson has a net worth of £16 million as of May 2014, according to the Sunday Times UK Rich List. He was utterly dedicated to his sport and remains a clean-living individual who has never attracted bad press.
2) Sir Bill Gammell (Scotland) - £38.7m
Gammell is a businessman and former Scottish International rugby player. A tall winger, he earned five caps, before following his father into business.
He has over 35 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry and was awarded a knighthood in 2006 for services to industry in Scotland. Sir Bill, who is an ex-Scotland rugby internationalist (1977-1980) is Chairman of the Winning Scotland Foundation and Chairman of Genius Gluten Free. He was also an Independent Director of Glasgow 2014 Limited and a member of the British Olympic Advisory Board.
In 2006 he founded Winning Scotland Foundation to mobilise efforts to raise aspirations and self-belief amongst young people in Scotland. The Foundation's vision is ‘to help all young people in Scotland achieve their personal best’ and over £7 million has been invested to date.
1)Simon McDowell (Ireland) - £41.8 M
Retired Irish rugby player, Simon McDowell and family has a net worth of $54 million as of May 2012, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
A keen rugby player until injury forced him to hang up his boots in 1990, McDowell, 43, played for North Ireland Football Club from 1987 until 1990 before turning to refereeing, making his debut in 2002. McDowell was a referee at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
He spends 1,000 hours a year keeping fit for his on-field duties and also runs Kilwaughter Chemical Company. It started in 1939 as a quarry and mineral processor. In 1989 the company moved into mixing rendering products for concrete. The Co Antrim-based operation is owned by the McDowell family and made £4.1m profit on £18.1m sales.
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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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