Ugo Monye calls for Steve Borthwick to ‘make room’ for ‘unique’ Zach Mercer - 'He's a special human'

TNT Sports expert Ugo Monye described Zach Mercer as a “special human” and called for England head coach Steve Borthwick to find a way to accommodate him after the Gloucester No. 8 starred in a thrilling 27-25 over Leicester Tigers.

The 26-year-old scored the opening try of the game in the 29th minute as he powered through the challenge of Dan Kelly and was a constant thorn in Leicester’s side throughout the 80 minutes at Welford Road.

Mercer joined the Gallagher Premiership Rugby outfit last summer after an impressive stint at French Top 14 side Montpellier with a view to returning to the England set-up.

But he was overlooked by Borthwick for last year’s Rugby World Cup and then again for the Six Nations, despite a string of strong performances for the Cherry and Whites since the start of the year.

Working against Mercer is the form of Ben Earl, who plays in the same position and was arguably the player of the Six Nations, but Monye believes Borthwick has to find a way past that.

“He’s a joke,” Monye said on TNT Sports. “I'll tell you what, he's so unique in how he plays the game and I think that's what really sets him apart.

“I find it frustrating and I have to predicate all of this by saying Ben Earl is unbelievable but when you have special, special players, special humans that play the game of rugby and make it look as effortless as Zach Mercer does, you've just got to make room for him.

“You have to accommodate him.”

Mercer was awarded the player of the match for his performance in Gloucester’s second victory over Leicester in seven days, following their triumph in the final of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

And while his priority right now is on extending Gloucester’s winning streak with a tough run of fixtures to come, adding to his two England caps remains in his thoughts.

“Obviously it motivates me,” Mercer told TNT Sports. “I want to play for England, there's no doubt about that. I’ve got aspirations but right now my focus is on Gloucester.

“I think Ben Earl has been outstanding for England in that jersey. I mean, he's probably arguably one of the best players in the world right now. So for me, I'm just happy playing here and if I get an opportunity I get an opportunity.”

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