England discard reveals All Blacks discussion after it ‘didn’t work out’ under Steve Borthwick
England head coach Steve Borthwick and new All Blacks boss Dave Rennie.
Former England number eight Zach Mercer revealed he discussed switching allegiances to New Zealand, but that family ultimately took precedence.
The Toulon back-rower earned two caps in 2018 and was in contention for a Rugby World Cup spot in 2023, but Eddie Jones’ sacking and Steve Borthwick’s arrival ultimately put paid to those ambitions.
Mercer signed a contract with Gloucester to return to England ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, making him eligible for World Cup selection, but Borthwick never took a shine to the loose forward.
As a result, the 28-year-old once again left the PREM at the end of last season, signing for Toulon and ending his England aspirations for now.
Eligible for the All Blacks
He potentially had the opportunity to switch nations, and represent the All Blacks, however, with his father, Gary, a New Zealand rugby league legend.
Having last played for the Red Rose eight years ago, Mercer has comfortably completed World Rugby’s stand-down period and therefore qualifies for Dave Rennie’s side.
According to the back-rower, he had a conversations with Rennie’s predecessor, Scott Robertson, but he decided to not pursue that opportunity.
“I think it was a conversation when Razor was in charge but I’ve got to put my kids first and to move my family to New Zealand isn’t the right thing for what they need,” Mercer told The Times.
“Maybe if I was younger it was something I could have done but, right now I’m settled in Toulon and wanting to play good rugby for them.
“I had Razor as my Barbarians coach, so there was a little back and forth there but nothing that was pursued and I’m happy where I am now.”
Mercer got back into the international reckoning following his performances for Montpellier, with Jones convincing him the then Top 14 Player of the Year to head back to England.
However, after the Australian was sacked in December 2022, three months after his contract with Gloucester had been announced, the loose forward never got a chance under new boss Borthwick.
He therefore doesn’t necessarily have a desire to head back home and compete for a spot in the England squad.
Not ‘worrying’ about England call-up
“The England thing didn’t work out and I needed to get away from it. That’s one reason I love France. When you’re not even being considered, you don’t have to worry about it,” he said.
“I love watching international rugby. I have a lot of good friends playing at the top level and that’s great to see.
“Everyone wants to play it [international rugby] but I’m in a position now where I want to focus on Toulon and play here. Whatever happens in the future happens.
“I have no qualms watching [internationals] or speaking about it but being here has detached me.
“That’s why I loved my time at Montpellier, because I didn’t have that stress of, ‘Am I going to get the call, am I going to get the email, am I in contention and doing what the coaches want?’ You’re just free from that.”