Zach Mercer happy to "fight" for his Bath Rugby jersey

Zach Mercer has followed the advice given to him by Taulepe Faletau which is to enjoy himself while breaking into the Bath team, but he has also outlined his desire to fight for the jersey.

At 19, Mercer is happy to take any opportunity to represent Bath given to him as he looks to forge a strong career in rugby but that does not mean he is resting on his laurels, as he explained to Total Bath on Monday.

"They (the senior members of the squad) have been really good (in helping him settle in).

"For me debut I sat down with Taulepe Faletau beforehand and the simple message he told me was: 'just do what you do, do what you do well and that is it - do not try and do too much, just go out there and enjoy yourself' and that is what I did. They have been amazing to be honest."

While Mercer is simply "loving life" with being in and around the Bath squad, he is keen to be more of a regular for the Blue, Black and White and enjoying the 'good pressure' of impressing the coaching staff.

"There is always a bit of pressure - pressure is not a bad thing - I like having a bit of pressure so it is a good thing and you know you have to play with that. 

"That jersey is not going to be yours forever and you have got to fight for that jersey but you do not worry about that too much. You just go out there at the weekend and if you play well, you play well.

"If you prepare well you will enjoy it and you will always play well."

Mercer also has plenty of time for the coaching staff at the Recreation Ground.

"(Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson) have impressed me and they have impressed a lot of the lads with their happy attitude, their determination to win and they can have a laugh, which is what the boys love and what I love as well."

(Picture via Bath Rugby's Instagram)