The third row from Montpellier, crowned French champion last June, was voted best player in the championship at the Night of Rugby, ahead of the Toulouse scrum-half.
A most logical coronation. Zach Mercer, the third-line center of Montpellier, was voted best of the Top 14 for the 2021-2022 season during Rugby Night which was held this Monday at the Olympia. An ultimately logical choice as the Englishman flew over the last exercise with, icing on the cake, the first shield of Brennus raised by Montpellier Hérault Rugby against Castres Olympique, on June 25th. A match that the English international (2 selections) had flown over his class.
«He gives us a lot. He is a positive player, who advances all the time. He makes us gain meters, he breaks tackles. He is very intelligent, he is a great player, we have seen him this year. He is one of the best numbers 8, in Top 14 but also in the world“, had greeted his teammate, the international rear of the MHR, Anthony Bouthier.
Philippe Saint-André, the Montpellier manager who knows the English championship particularly well (he was crowned champion with Sale and commented on the Premiership on RMC), is at the origin of his arrival in Hérault. “I thank Mohed Altrad (its president) because no one knew him. I told him : “Don’t worry! You won’t be disappointed.” I believe that players, clubs and the Top 14 are not disappointed to have players like that.he explained.
Rough and dynamic
Complete third line, both rough and dynamic, the former player of Bath, the club where he was trained, was the key man to the success of the MHR last year. In a number 8 profile reminiscent of former Springbok Pierre Spies and former Bleu Imanol Harinordoquy, he didn’t take long to adapt to French rugby. From his first season in France, he was decisive and omnipresent in the Hérault game.
This is the first time since this trophy has been awarded that an English player has been awarded (read the list below). For the second time, a Montpellier player is honored after François Trinh-Duc in 2011, the year in which the MHR had climbed to the final of the Top 14 (defeat against Stade Toulousain).
Zach Mercer beat Antoine Dupont and Grégory Alldritt. The Toulouse scrum-half, beaten in the semi-finals of the Top 14 by Castres, was less radiant and decisive last year. Crowned European champion for the first time with Stade Rochelais, Alldritt, also defeated but in a play-off by Toulouse, could have claimed this honorary title.
Scottish international at 16
Zach Mercer will not have shone for long on the lawns of the French championship. He is indeed playing his second and last season with the MHR since he has decided to join Gloucester and the English championship in order to be eligible again for the XV de la Rose and to claim a place in the English squad for the Cup. of the world 2023 in France.
If, today, the number 8 born in Leeds is aiming for a place in the England team, he could have worn the colors of… Scotland where he lived at the age of 8. He then went through the Glasgow Academy and had even been a Scottish international with the U16s. It was only at 18 that he joined Bath, one of the best training clubs in England. Before coming to shine briefly in France.
A flash passage in France, but a passage of the most noticed. “French rugby is brutal! Wherever you go, against all teams, it’s always very physical, he confided recently. You cannot escape. It’s hard on the body, but I really love it! How can you not love this rugby when you see the atmosphere in the stadiums?“ Stadiums that the Englishman knew how to ignite last year.
Ranking of the best players in the Top 14:
2004 : Manuel Edmonds (Perpignan)
2005: Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse)
2006 : Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Agent)
2007: Juan Martin Hernandez (French Stadium Paris)
2008 : Byron Kelleher (Toulouse)
2009 : Napolioni Nalaga (Clermont)
2010 : Morgan Parra (Clermont)
2011 : François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier)
2012 : Chris Masoe (Castres)
2013 : Rory Kockott (Castres)
2014 : Matt Giteau (Toulon)
2015: Sergio Parisse (French Stadium Paris)
2016 : Johan Goosen (Racing 92)
2017: Victor Vito (Rochelais Stadium)
2018 : Benjamin Pharmacy (Oyonnax)
2019 : Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse)
2020: no trophy
2021 : Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
2022 : Zach Mercer (Montpellier)
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