Louis Rees-Zammit says it feels strange but good to be back on Wales duty this week.
Rees-Zammit is in contention to make his first appearance for Wales in two years after his unsuccessful switch to American football.
The 24-year-old winger had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play a competitive game in the NFL before signing for English Premiership club Bristol in August.
After participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP), Rees-Zammit initially signed with Kansas City, but was cut after failing to impress during pre-season appearances in 2024.
He joined Jacksonville and spent the 2024 season as part of the franchise’s practice squad without making a regular-season appearance.
With his time in the United States at an end, Rees-Zammit has linked up with his Wales teammates in Cardiff this week as the build-up starts to November Tests against Argentina, Japan, the All Blacks and the Springboks.
“It feels amazing to be back in rugby. I went out there and tried it out but I am really happy to be back,” he said on Wednesday.
“It is great to see all the boys again and there is a new coaching staff, which is great. All the boys are loving it and we are ready to rip in.
“This is the first time I have been on this field for 18 months and it feels weird. It is great to see so many fans support us because it means so much to us.”
Rees-Zammit trained away from the main group as he recovers from a toe injury sustained playing for Bristol earlier this month, but the winger is optimistic of being fit to take on Argentina on 9 November.
“My foot is feeling really good. I have just been running the past couple of days and trying to get it ready for next week but it is looking positive,” he said.
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The confident Rees-Zammit’s presence has been a boost to Wales after a disappointing spell for the national team, according to teammate Freddie Thomas.
“I was in the Gloucester Academy with him, so it’s always nice to have an old friend back in the group,” Thomas said. “He’s definitely bigger, a lot of weight in terms of muscle, but still has his speed.
“He’s an unbelievable player and definitely not shy. He has that confidence and X factor we need because there were times last year where it was probably a quiet group, with not many boys prepared to speak up in meetings and call each other out.”
– AFP
Photo: @WelshRugbyUnion/X
The post LRZ: It feels amazing to be back in rugby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Louis Rees-Zammit says it feels strange but good to be back on Wales duty this week.
The post LRZ: It feels amazing to be back in rugby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
