Zach Mercer has one last chance to impress England boss Steve Borthwick

Mercer, who is 26 years old, has not played for England since 2018, but Skivington believes that his skills as a No8 player will catch the attention of the national team selectors during this weekend's Challenge Cup final.

Skivington said: “All of the players involved in those games have a chance to show (England) what they can do. Zach is unique and there isn’t anyone in the Premiership who can do what he can do. It depends what Steve wants to do with the tour and it is a competitive position.

“Zach is right on the edge and whenever I speak to Steve he is right in the picture and is right in the conversation – he is not being dismissed. It will probably be about how players go and the big games over the next two weeks and every game from now on is a big game.”

The Gloucester head coach is wary of the threats the Sharks bring in the cup final, saying that his side will do “all they can” to bring home their third Challenge Cup trophy.

“They have got a lot of high-profile players, a lot of individuals that can do things out of nowhere.

“That goes as well from backline, wingers to (Eben) Etzebeth in the second row and world cup winning front rowers,” said the former London Irish forwards coach.

‘They have got a lot of guys who can change a game in a moment, and we have to be as ready as you can be for that.

“We have to trust in our process, we have got to trust in what we do and when we get that right we play good rugby and feel pretty good. Sharks are a huge opposition, many household names in there.”

Mercer's choice to return from France and commit to Gloucester last summer was a clear signal of his eagerness to rejuvenate his Test career with the English national rugby team.

However, the relationship between head coach Steve Borthwick and Mercer has been less than perfect the last 12 months

Mercer said: “I’ve been open with Steve, I’ve told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven’t really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.

“I just don’t feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that’s me being honest, I don’t think he values what I can bring.

“Obviously I don’t fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is.

“My focus now is on Gloucester and England can take a step aside for the moment.”

“Zach and I had a conversation last week. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last couple of weeks with Zach since he’s come back from injury.

“We’ve highlighted areas where players have done well and the areas where they bring a point of difference. It’s a competitive arena.

“And [we highlight] areas where we want them to develop them and add to their game. That’s the same conversation I had with Zach.

“When I’m talking to a player, I’m basing it in objectivity. I’m basing it on targets for them to go after, and then we can shape a shared understanding of what we’re seeing.

“Granted, sometimes as a coach you want something specific in

It's noteworthy that the versatile number eight holds the option to switch his allegiance to New Zealand.

This possibility arises due to his eligibility for the All Blacks, facilitated by his father's illustrious rugby league career that encompassed 21 Test appearances for the New Zealand team.

In an extensive interview with The Daily Telegraph, the youngest Tuilagi revealed that while “England is very special to me, of course, but my heart and home is still Samoa.”

Manu, who is named after the Samoan national side, is the odd one out of his rugby-playing brothers, as Anitelea, Alesana, Henry and Freddie all opted to play for Manu Samoa rather than any of the European nations they spent time living in throughout their professional careers.

Correct at the time of writing, Tuilagi could be available for Samoa in 2025, though time isn't on his side as he would be 33 by then.

The 29-year-old, born in Sydney in 1992, would be free to play for the Aussies when he completes his three-years stand down from international rugby.

Winning 61 caps since making his debut in 2013, reports down under suggested Aussie chiefs wanted to make contact with the powerhouse about a potential swap prior to his recall last Autumn.

Tonga, who Billy’s Dad Fe’ao played for in the 1990s, also remain keen on the Saracens star.

The Leicester Tigers winger, who was given his debut by Borthwick in 2023, has expressed his willingness to potentially represent Wales in 2026.

Despite earning two caps for England during last year's Six Nations, the 25-year-old hasn't been included in Steve Borthwick's squad since then. Notably, he was absent from England A's recent triumph over Portugal.

Ahead of this year's Six Nations, Gatland had mentioned Hassell-Collins several times, especially during the discussion surrounding another dual-qualified winger, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“I have seen Gatland’s interview,” Hassell-Collins told the Telegraph.

“I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years then it’s definitely something that I would consider.

“I would qualify [for Wales] the year of the World Cup – that is, if he still wants me. Wales is still part of who I am.

"My grandma was Welsh and I still have family over there. It’s still a part of me – and I’d never turn it down – but for now it’s England for