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Zach Mercer, champion of France with the MHR: “I am in Montpellier to stay there”

2022-06-26T14:13:47.507Z


The English number 8, impressive for his first season in the Top 14, evokes this historic title of champion, the hardness of rugby in France and his future which he sees at the MHR.


A new titan match.

In the final of the Top 14 against Castres (29-10), Zach Mercer was once again sparkling.

Tough on evil and brilliant with the ball in hand.

After the match, in the passageways of the Stade de France, he spoke for a long time about his remarkable season with the MHR.

A successful first in France, a historic championship title and a long celebration.

Before going to get married in England.

The Grand Slam.

To discover

  • Fixtures and Top 14 results

  • Ranking Top 14

The title of champion of France with the MHR

"That's crazy.

It's going to take me a while to realize what we've achieved with this group.

This is exceptional.

When I arrived in France, I thought the European Cup was the most important trophy to win.

But when you come to France, you realize that it's totally different.

We realize this when we see the reactions of Guilhem Guirado, "Fufu" (Ouedraogo), Kylian Galletier who put an end to their career, for Benoît Paillaugue who leaves the club.

Read alsoTop 14: Zach Mercer, the revelation of the year in Montpellier

The hot start from Montpellier in 12 minutes

"I thought it could be dangerous.

Toulouse was somewhat in the same position last week.

That's what I said to Guilhem when we gathered in a circle: we have to switch over immediately and continue.

It's a situation in which we want to be but at the same time, we pass from the position of hunter to that of hunted.

But those first twenty minutes were very incredible, it's probably the best twenty we've done this season.

We were ready for this big game.

I really liked the way we approached the semi-final and the final.

We were underdogs and we ended up lifting the trophy.

We knew we had to be strong on defense

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French rugby is brutal!

It's hard on the body, but I really love it!

Zach Mercer

Brennus' shield, what does it represent?

"I'm going to sit next to him in the locker room and watch him carefully with the Montpellier name engraved on it for the first time in the club's history.

To achieve this for my first season here is just amazing.

I will sit in the locker room and reflect on all that the team has achieved and what I have achieved on a personal level.

His view on the Top 14

“French rugby is brutal!

Wherever you go, against all teams, it's always very physical.

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?

When you see what it represents for the French... I had never seen anything similar.

What's crazy is that I had never won anything in rugby, but now I could say that I won the Top 14.

I'm going to sit next to Mohamed Haouas at breakfast, he doesn't speak a word of English but we manage to joke and laugh

Zach Mercer

The links that were created during the season

“We started the season winning only two games and drawing one game in the first seven days.

We then had what I call a first crisis meeting.

And then we won at Racing and we had ten wins in a row.

The bonds within the team have been strengthened.

And before the final, Philippe Saint-André told us: "Guys if you win this final, you will no longer be just friends, you will belong to the same family. In thirty years, you will remember it."

Read alsoThe notes of Montpellier-Castres: Serfontein and Mercer take everything

His integration in Montpellier

“I'm really proud.

I know that Montpellier had a bad reputation in the past.

But we are changing all that.

There is no "segregation" between foreign players and French players, no barriers between us.

I'm going to sit next to Mohamed Haouas at breakfast, he doesn't speak a word of English but we manage to joke around and laugh.

And that's what this group has built and the credit goes to Philippe (Saint-André).

Of course I would like to do the World Cup.

If the opportunity arises, that would be great.

But I know I can't play with England if I'm in France

Zach Mercer

The role of Saint-André in its success

“He came to get me.

He trusted me.

He told the president to recruit me.

I thank him a thousand times.

When I saw his reaction to the final whistle, I understood what this title means to him.

Last season, the club was struggling to avoid relegation.

This year we went to the quarter-finals of the European Cup and we won the Top 14. Even if we are going to lose players.

Philippe is a smart guy.

He said, "Zach, we know what you can do for us."

Whether it's Philippe, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Olivier Azam or the members of the staff, they let me do what I know how to do.

And his international career?

“I met Eddie Jones (the XV de la Rose coach) in Marseille before the European Cup finals.

I was honest with him: I'm here to win trophies and to improve.

I know that if I go back to England, I wrote on my CV: won the Top 14. I am here in Montpellier to stay, I will be there next season.

And I will fight to stay the following season.

It will happen what will happen with the national team.

I take advantage of the moment.

(…) Of course I would like to do the World Cup.

If the opportunity arises, that would be great.

But I know I can't play with England if I'm in France

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Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-06-26

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