Quantcast

The COML Message Board

The place for discussion, debate and nonsense about Bath Rugby.

Join our new Facebook Group today!

New visitors please read the house rules before posting

Test your prognostications at our Prediction League


Eddie namechecks Zach
Discussion started by timfrombattle (IP Logged), 21 January, 2017 09:08
timfrombrighton
timfrombattle
21 January, 2017 09:08
In today's Times Owen Slot reports that when asked which young England players had impressed him recently EJ mentioned one: Zach Mercer 😊



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/01/2017 09:09 by timfrombattle.

Danchinho
Danchinho
21 January, 2017 12:41
Not surprised. I think he's fantastic!
Hope we get his contract sorted out soon.



I probably don't know what i'm talking about.

incastrowetrust
Ayerzawannabe
21 January, 2017 13:26
Yeh Zach this season is for me the breakthrough of the year.

Doesn't look much on TV size wise. But he brilliant vision for someon his age.


(Sign him up Tigers splash the cash winking smiley )

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
21 January, 2017 13:31
He will be namechecking Sam Underhill next season as well as Zach.

fatheralice
fatheralice
21 January, 2017 16:58
Oh, didn't realise he was out of contract?!

I imagine quite a few clubs would be interested. I think he is outstanding, and going to get even better.

Crosses fingers and hopes Baxter works his magic (Sm14)

Flying Scotsman
Flying Scotsman
21 January, 2017 17:53
He was my MoM today. Absolutely magnificent all over the pitch. Astonishing reading of the game for a 19 year old. Cute offload too in closing stages - he has everything. Hope he is managed carefully by us and the RFU - he's got a very bright future ahead of him in both white and BB&W.

gaz59
gaz59
21 January, 2017 18:07
It is hell of statement that we haven't missed Faletau - a run away winner of most improved player of the season and there will be some really good nominations - we haven't been able to say that for a while

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
21 January, 2017 18:12
Quote:
Flying Scotsman
He was my MoM today. Absolutely magnificent all over the pitch. Astonishing reading of the game for a 19 year old. Cute offload too in closing stages - he has everything. Hope he is managed carefully by us and the RFU - he's got a very bright future ahead of him in both white and BB&W.

That's the big plus he is creative as well, no back row issues now!

DorsetBoy
Dorset Boy
21 January, 2017 18:16
You have to pinch yourself when you realize he's only 19. Easily the best young player of the season so far.

For the other club fans, it's giving him a senior contract asap that's being talked about so hands off!

MESSAGES->author
joethefanatic
21 January, 2017 20:25
A back row of Mercer, Underhill and Faletau does sound like rather a wondrous thing. I hope we get a decent 10 to feed off their good work.



... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/01/2017 20:25 by joethefanatic.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
21 January, 2017 21:39
Agree about Zach and he MUST be signed up and soon. Personally, I think a 5 year one would be good.

With regards to your comment joethefanatic, we will find someone, who just might be better than our present incumbent!!

Flying Scotsman
Flying Scotsman
21 January, 2017 22:36
Garvey, Louw, Faletau
Z Mercer, Underhill, Denton
Ellis, G Mercer, Grant.

Not to mention Sisi and various others who can cover back row.

An embarrassment of riches. Marvellous.

Gussieboy
Gussieboy
22 January, 2017 19:17
I read what EJ said about Zach, although I can't remember where I saw it, but in the same piece he also mentioned Ellis and Dunn as impressing him as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 22/01/2017 20:43 by Gussieboy.

gaz59
gaz59
23 January, 2017 10:05
Quote:
Bathovalballer
Agree about Zach and he MUST be signed up and soon. Personally, I think a 5 year one would be good.

Are there any 5 year contracts around?

Nomad-o'Rugby
Nomad-o'Rugby
23 January, 2017 10:23
Really talented player.

Interested in your opinions as to his best position long term - feels like an 8, but wondering if you think he could do a job at 6 at international level?

by
by
23 January, 2017 11:32
8 for sure, can be very quick off the back of a scrum. Don't think he'll have much chance at 6 for England, though reckon he could overtake Clifford and Hughes.

MESSAGES->author
woodpecker
23 January, 2017 12:36
I echo other comments he was great on Saturday. I was struck by a couple of things, firstly how quick he is and secondly how unmuscular, he doesn't really have biceps at all.

It may just be his age, but I'd prefer him to stay roughly how he is and not try and bulk up too much.

opti
Optimist
23 January, 2017 13:05
The history of these rangy, athletic lads at number 8 isn't hugely encouraging - James Forrester springs to mind, and Clifford has already started to feel the effects. Just maybe, the effort to reduce collisions on the top third of the body will give a little more hope to the likes of Zach surviving and thriving.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
23 January, 2017 13:26
Quote:
Optimist
The history of these rangy, athletic lads at number 8 isn't hugely encouraging - James Forrester springs to mind, and Clifford has already started to feel the effects. Just maybe, the effort to reduce collisions on the top third of the body will give a little more hope to the likes of Zach surviving and thriving.

Probably also depends on who else in the back / second row to do the gruntTM? He is never going to be a barrelling 8. Seems to find himself in 'Tom Croft-esque' positions (i.e. the wing) not that TC is the best example of staying away from injury.

TM - BoB

opti
Optimist
23 January, 2017 13:57
Tom Croft. QED (and I don't mean Quite Easily Done).

ken_jnr
ken_jnr
23 January, 2017 22:15
I think he will begin to fill out naturally soon enough. He's got a pretty big frame, just not at an age to have added bulk yet. I'm not sure he'll look like Billy V at any point but think he will be far more "robust" looking in a few years without losing his athleticism.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
23 January, 2017 23:14
Exactly kenjnr, and why Bath Rugby must offer him a long term deal, like 5 years. He still would only be 24!!;

MESSAGES->author
joethefanatic
24 January, 2017 01:34
If we are going to play the Crusaders way then we'll need someone who has the skills of a Keiran Reid. Sound like anyone we might be discussing?



... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

Bath Hammer
Bath Hammer
24 January, 2017 07:33
Quote:
joethefanatic
If we are going to play the Crusaders way then we'll need someone who has the skills of a Keiran Reid. Sound like anyone we might be discussing?

I'd rather we focus on other areas i.e. tight head. We are well served in the back row.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
24 January, 2017 07:38
I think he means that Zach is our Kieran Reid Bath hammer.



[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
24 January, 2017 07:40
Yes a rampaging back row of Zach, Underhill and Faletau is just one of our back row options for next season.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
24 January, 2017 08:55
Quote:
shipwrecked
Yes a rampaging back row of Zach, Underhill and Faletau is just one of our back row options for next season.

A rampaging back row of Garvey, Louw and Denton doesn't sound much worse!

MESSAGES->author
woodpecker
24 January, 2017 09:13
an embarrassment of riches back row...

MESSAGES->author
shipwrecked
24 January, 2017 09:52
Agree Matt, in fact you have inspired me to start a new topic!

fat lock
fat lock
24 January, 2017 13:06
Quote:
BathMatt53
Quote:
shipwrecked
Yes a rampaging back row of Zach, Underhill and Faletau is just one of our back row options for next season.

A rampaging back row of Garvey, Louw and Denton doesn't sound much worse!

4 of those 6 have had injuries limiting their game time - some quite significant.
The attrition of modern rugby means you need a potential embarrassment of riches to have half a chance of fielding a decent team.

Bath Hammer
Bath Hammer
24 January, 2017 13:11
Quote:
fat lock
Quote:
BathMatt53
Quote:
shipwrecked
Yes a rampaging back row of Zach, Underhill and Faletau is just one of our back row options for next season.

A rampaging back row of Garvey, Louw and Denton doesn't sound much worse!

4 of those 6 have had injuries limiting their game time - some quite significant.
The attrition of modern rugby means you need a potential embarrassment of riches to have half a chance of fielding a decent team.

Absolutely - We don't want to deplete our resources.


Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net