England ace Zach Mercer rushed to hospital after being stretchered off with game delayed for 10 minutes after head clash
ZACH MERCER was rushed to hospital after a sickening clash with two opposition players.
The England international was in action for Montpellier as they took on Lyon at Stade Gerland.
Just moments into the match play had to be paused after Mercer, 25, collided with Lyon stars Theo William and Sebastien Taofifenua.
The game was stopped for around ten minutes as Mercer received urgent treatment on the pitch.
After initially lying motionless, Mercer offered some reassurance to fans as he was eventually stretchered off.
The two-cap England ace raised his thumb as he was taken off the field of play.
Fans of home side Lyon rose to clap the opposition player off the field, with Masivesi Dakuwaqa coming on to replace him.
Lyon went on to win the Top 14 match 31-21 at Stade Gerland.
Two tries by Josiah Maraku helped the home side to victory, while Baptiste Couilloud and Mickael Guillard also scored.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Julien Tisseron scored tries for Montpellier.
Flanker Mercer began his professional career at Bath in 2016.
He played for the Premiership side for five years before moving to Montpellier in 2021.
Mercer played twice for England in 2018 and represented Scotland at youth level – while father Gary Mercer played for New Zealand in rugby league between 1987 and 1993.