Mercer speaks on England snub and Toulon future

Mercer explains his knee injury recovery and why England did not select him while aiming for top trophies with Toulon.

Mercer finds renewal at Toulon after England snub

Zach Mercer has joined Toulon after a two year spell with Gloucester in the Premiership. He previously starred for Montpellier, helping them win Top 14 in 2022 and earning man of the match in the final against Castres. An approach from Eddie Jones had Mercer considering a return to the Premiership for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but he ended up signing a two year deal with Gloucester. By the time he returned to England, Jones had left the RFU and Mercer did not feature for England under Steve Borthwick.

Mercer now speaks of Toulon as a place with a strong English footprint and a legacy shaped by Jonny Wilkinson. In remarks to Var Matin, he described his knee injury suffered last November at Northampton as a chance to reset his mind and body, and he said the layoff allowed him to spend meaningful time with his children. He touched on England selection, suggesting that profile matters to selectors and acknowledging that England has a deep pool of back row options. The start of Toulon s 2025/26 season is set to be intense, with Montpellier awaiting the home opener on September 6.

The interview sheds light on the friction between club identity and national ambitions. Toulon s prestige makes it a magnet for English players, yet a move abroad can complicate national team eligibility and selection debates. Mercer's injury pause underlines how career pauses can redirect a player's arc, especially when national coaches seek different profiles. The piece also hints at a broader tension within English rugby about depth, mobility, and the potential bias toward domestic form versus international exposure.

Mercer s homage to Wilkinson signals a sense of lineage that can inspire younger players, while his move back to the Top 14 prompts questions about career longevity beyond the Premiership. The story invites readers to consider how selectors value experience gained overseas and whether a player s best years can still be counted in the national tally. The human side emerges through his reflections on family time, a reminder that elite sport is as much about resilience off the field as on it.

Highlights

Mercer remains a reminder that a career can pivot on a single decision and a long road back.