Gloucester have wasted no time replacing departing star Zach Mercer — by snapping up Glasgow Warriors powerhouse Jack Mann ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
The 6ft 5in, 115kg wrecking ball is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Mercer, who in a demolition job over Dragons.
won’t pull on the Cherry and White again after being ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Mercer Madness
Mercer is reportedly heading back to France, with Top 14 giants Toulon winning the race for his signature.
The move ends his short stint at Kingsholm, with Gloucestershire Live reporting the No.8 has been granted an early release from his contract — originally set to run until 2027.
After picking up an injury blow, Mercer’s time in red is all but done.
Mercer is reportedly heading back to France, with Top 14 giants Toulon winning the race for his signature.
The move ends his short stint at Kingsholm, with Gloucestershire Live reporting the No.8 has been granted an early release from his contract — originally set to run until 2027.
After picking up an injury blow, Mercer’s time in red is all but done.
Enter: Jack Mann
Scotland U20s graduate Mann joins from United Rugby Championship side Glasgow, where he’s impressed with his brutal carries and uncompromising defence.
He made his debut in a memorable win away to Bath and bagged his first try in February 2025, earning Player of the Match
Scotland U20s graduate Mann joins from United Rugby Championship side Glasgow, where he’s impressed with his brutal carries and uncompromising defence.
He made his debut in a memorable win away to Bath and bagged his first try in February 2025, earning Player of the Match
A Six Nations squad call-up earlier this year capped off a breakout season for the dynamic No.8 — and although he’s yet to win his first full cap, Mann looks destined for the international stage.
George Skivington said:
“Jack’s a big and powerful athlete — exactly what we were looking for.
He’s been outstanding this season and his Six Nations call-up proves how highly regarded he is. He’ll fit in brilliantly with our other back-row options.”
Mann will arrive at Kingsholm looking to fill some serious boots — but at just 24, he’s got the size, the ceiling, and the swagger to become a fan favourite.
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Jim Telfer names 12 England stars in Lions squad – Marcus Smith misses out
The former Lions coach, who famously delivered the spine-tingling ‘Everest’ speech on the 1997 tour, opted for three players per position in a balanced selection for Scottish Rugby News.
And while some inclusions were expected, Telfer hasn’t been afraid to raise eyebrows, especially with some bold calls in the backline.
Genge leads the English charge up front
Ellis Genge is a nailed-on pick at loosehead, joining Ireland’s Andrew Porter and Scotland’s Rory Sutherland.
Despite fitness concerns, Luke Cowan-Dickie is also included at hooker. There’s no England tighthead in the squad — a rare omission.
In the second row, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are both in, underlining their continued importance at international level.
Back-row packed with English muscle
Telfer has gone heavy on Englishmen in the back-row — naming Ben Earl and Tom Curry at blindside, with Ben Curry making the cut at openside alongside Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan.
There’s no room for Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill, or Alex Dombrandt, despite all being part of the England conversation at various points.
Surprise call-ups out wide
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the selection of Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck on the wing, with both making huge impressions in the Premiership this season.
They’re joined by Fin Smith at fly-half and George Furbank, who has quietly impressed, as one of three full-back options.
Alex Mitchell is the sole English scrum-half picked, with no room for Danny Care or Harry Randall.
No Farrell, Marcus, or Steward
Shockingly, there’s no Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, or Freddie Steward — three players who’ve carried the England backline for much of the last few years.
“Any selections should be based on the quality of the player,” Telfer told Scotland Rugby News.
“Not the name on the jersey. Some will disagree – but this squad can win in Australia.”
Full: Jim Telfer’s 45-man British & Irish Lions squad
Props
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Hookers
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Locks
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Back Row
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Fly-halves
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Centres
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Wingers
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Full-backs
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
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