'I loved France as you couldn't get picked for England'

Gloucester number eight Zach Mercer says he loved playing for Montpellier in France's Top 14 as you "couldn't get picked for England".

The Rugby Football Union's policy of not selecting players based overseas meant that was not something Mercer had to consider.

Mercer, who collected two England caps in 2018, won the Top 14 title and was named the league's player of the year in 2022 during his two seasons in France before returning last season to the Premiership.

The 26-year-old returned to secure a place in England's Rugby World Cup squad last autumn, but missed out on Steve Borthwick's final squad and has not added to his two caps.

"It wasn't the plan to come back to England and not play for them. There are no regrets but what-ifs," Mercer told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

"A lot of people say you must regret coming home. Rugby is a bigger picture and I've got an 11-month-old daughter now. Could I imagine my wife giving birth over in France and having no family over there? Probably not.

"For that aspect I don't regret coming home at all. I love Gloucester as a club.

"I loved France as you couldn't get picked for England, so you didn't have the pressure of that and when a squad is announced wondering if I am in."

In January, the back-rower said he was "done" with England for now after missing out on selection for the Six Nations.

Mercer, who is known for his ball-carrying skills, added that Borthwick called him to tell him he did not fit into his plans for the team after he spent time in England camp.

Toulouse flanker Jack Willis decided to remain in France and rule himself out of England selection after the World Cup last autumn; since then the 27-year-old has played some of his best rugby and won the European Champions Cup in May.

"You do get work-ons and I was quite public with my opinions on it. Do I regret that opinion? Probably not," Gloucester number eight Mercer added.

"I have been very open about mental health in rugby. I got to the stage where I had to remove myself from it and say I was done and that I can't get picked and I can then try and enjoy my rugby.

"That is why Jack Willis is probably playing his best rugby as he doesn't have to worry about selection."