The prominent former England number eight, Zach Mercer, made a notable return to the Top 14, scoring a try in the initial half against his former team, Montpellier, during the opening round of the French domestic season on Saturday.
The athlete, aged 28, took only about twenty-five minutes to register his first points this season for his new club, Toulon, two years following his departure from France to rejoin Gloucester in England.
This occurred as Pierre Mignoni’s squad was establishing a 24-3 lead by half-time at Montpellier’s GGL Stadium.
Although the home team mounted a comeback during the latter half, it was insufficient to prevent a 27-17 defeat on the opening day, with Mercer, a former favorite, continuing his performance in France.
Montpellier
Toulon
Mercer’s stint of two seasons in the Top 14 proved highly successful, contributing to Montpellier’s league title victory and also earning him the title of league’s most valuable player.
He made a comeback to the Gallagher PREM in 2023, preceding the World Cup, and promptly participated in an England training camp led by Steve Borthwick. Nevertheless, he did not secure a spot in the tournament squad in France and was subsequently excluded from future England squads.
After failing to increase his total of two international caps, which he gained under Eddie Jones during his time as a Bath player, he once again departed England at the conclusion of the previous season following a campaign plagued by injuries.
Mercer, a player widely admired in France, appears to have quickly endeared himself to the supporters of the Stade Mayol.
Mercer has become part of a Toulon team that already features a significant English presence, with captain David Ribbans and Lewis Ludlam both in the starting lineup, and Kyle Sinckler, who is currently injured, set to return soon.
Mercer also faced off against a former England number eight, Billy Vunipola, who was involved for the last twenty minutes of the match.
Toulon is scheduled to play Castres in the following week, who experienced a defeat against Pau on the opening day.
