The other forgotten England No.8 hailed as 'exceptional' this weekend
Bath boss Stuart Hooper hailed an “exceptional” performance by England international Zach Mercer on his return from injury in a 22-21 victory over Worcester.
The Bath number eight, who won two caps in 2018, had not featured since mid-November, but he quickly made up for lost time by scoring a try after just 90 seconds at Sixways.
Now fully fit following a knee ligament injury, he delivered an eye-catching display as Bath moved up to fourth in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I thought he was exceptional,” Bath rugby director Hooper said.
“He didn’t just get through the 80 minutes, I thought he was consistently dominant with his ball-carry, and he was consistent in his collision-dominance.
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“He has worked unbelievably hard.
“I know people always say that, but he has been out for three months, so for him to come back on a very fast surface and get through 80 minutes is a credit to him and the work he has put in.”
Worcester had a chance to win with the game’s final kick, but full-back Chris Pennell’s 55-metre effort drifted wide.
And although Storm Dennis did not arrive during the game, Bath’s forwards provided sufficient ferocity to knock Worcester out of their stride.
'The biggest one was 1,700 pieces' @bathrugby No.8 @Mercer8Zach takes an unorthodox approach to keeping sane while injured – writes @chrisjonespress #Bath https://t.co/wUq1YFrOyY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 15, 2020
Mercer, flanker Francois Louw and lock Josh McNally all scored tries, while fly-half Rhys Priestland kicked two conversions and a penalty.
In contrast to Priestland’s accuracy, his opposite number Duncan Weir could not master the blustery conditions, missing five from nine shots at goal.
The Scotland international booted three penalties and a conversion, but tries by number eight Cornell Du Preez and wing Nick David, on his Premiership debut, could not sink Bath.
Bath have lost just one of their last five games, and Hooper added: “The hallmark of this league is that anyone can beat anyone on any given weekend.
“It makes for an exciting competition – and some nerve-racking moments at the back end of games.
With zero wins so far this season for Yorkshire Carnegie, relegation from the RFU Championship to National League 1 seems increasingly likely for a side that once finished fourth in the Premiership.https://t.co/cEGAx8w5uX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2020
“But it also presents a massive opportunity. You get yourself in the top four, and you are in with a chance of winning the competition.
“Grinding out wins like this and picking up four points here is massive in the context of the competition. If you do that a few times across the season, you give yourself a chance.
“They were very tough conditions. The first-half we were off and weren’t where we needed to be tactically or from an effort point of view.
“I am very proud of the effort they put in during the second-half, and their application to get us back in the game. We rolled our sleeves up.”
This came down to the WIRE.https://t.co/I9KCaiwwie
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 15, 2020
Worcester, though, were left to reflect on what might have been, with a losing bonus point proving scant consolation.
Warriors rugby director Alan Solomons said: “It is very tough. I thought we did enough to win the game, but at the end of the day, penalties told against us.
“If I look back to the games against Exeter, Wasps and this one, they are all games we should have won, but that is where you have got to be resilient.
“If you keep at it, the wheel turns, there is no doubt about that.
“Every game you play in the Premiership is of a very high standard, and the margins are fine. At the moment, we are just falling on the wrong side of those margins.
“But if we keep at it and stick at it, we will come through.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments