Bath Rugby back-rower Zach Mercer was today described as being “in the form of his life” as he was named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for April.
Mercer was at the top of his game last month, with performances that earned him acclaim from the judges and BT Sport pundit and Gallagher ambassador Ugo Monye.
Monye said: “Zach’s contributions have sparked Bath Rugby’s recent success, getting to a Challenge Cup semi-final and the impressive domestic run they have been on. To stand out in a team full of quality players is a tough feat but he’s been able to do that consistently.
“His attacking game is extraordinary and the quality of his output is so consistent. He’s a great offloader, he’s dynamic through contact - he’s just class and he is playing some of the best rugby of his life.” Monye added: “I think he’s been unlucky not to have achieved further international honours as he has been a star performer for years. He’s a very tricky opponent to play against and he’s been a joy to commentate on.”
In April, Bath Rugby grabbed a one-point win over Leicester Tigers and lost a thrilling game at Wasp 39-29 with Mercer to the fore.
Bath Rugby fan, club liaison and Gallagher development executive Chris Howard, added his praise for the pivotal role Mercer has been playing for his team: “Without doubt, Bath back-rower Zach Mercer has been playing some of his very best rugby of late. Stand out performances have drawn post-match praise and Zach now adds a well-deserved Gallagher Player of the Month award to his recent accolades.
“Always a formidable force in defence, it is Zach’s powerful, mobile, attacking play that has particularly impressed with his strong ball carries and skilful footwork helping to create breaks as well as scoring a number of tries.”
With the gradual return of fans now given the green light, he added: “Following confirmation that fans can be welcomed back inside Gallagher Premiership stadiums from as early as next week, we can’t wait to be back at The Rec come 12 June, as a local business alongside all the other fans, to show our support and celebrate spectators’ return.”
As part of his prize for being named Gallagher Player of the Month, Mercer has the opportunity to donate a shirt signed by the whole Bath Rugby squad and framed by Gallagher to a charity of his choice, to help them raise funds for their cause.
Mercer was judged by a panel of experts as the player who made the biggest impact in Gallagher Premiership Rugby in April 2021. He was involved in a three-way battle to win the award eventually beating February’s winner Marcus Smith and Leicester Tigers No 8, Jasper Wiese to the prize.
Mercer was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in April, alongside a public poll on the Premiership Rugby app, which drew more than 1,300 votes. The judges were: Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), Jill Douglas (Broadcaster), Craig Swayne (Fab Rugby), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Tom Hamilton (ESPN). The panel was chaired by Paul Morgan, Premiership Rugby's Communications Director.
