New Wales head coach Steve Tandy has welcomed Louis Rees-Zammit’s return to rugby and says the winger shall be a “massive” addition to his squad.
Rees-Zammit just lately introduced he was making his rugby union comeback having spent the final yr pursuing a profession within the NFL.
The 24-year-old joined the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway programme in March 2024 and initially signed with the then-Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs earlier than spending the common season marketing campaign on the Jacksonville Jaguars follow squad.
Previous to leaving rugby Rees-Zammit performed 32 instances and scored 14 tries for Wales after making his debut in 2020, his final look coming on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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Sam Warburton discusses the return of Louis Rees-Zammit and hopes for his return to the Welsh aspect.
“I’m pretty open-minded, I just want to see him playing,” Tandy instructed Sky Sports activities. “That is an important factor, getting him again and him being in an atmosphere he is actually blissful in.
“Him being accessible is a large addition to the squad. he’ll be in good form, he’ll be match and he is an instinctive rugby participant who does issues actually naturally.
“The learning he’s had will have made him an even better rugby player so it’s for him finding the right club and environment and I’ve no doubt he’ll be back to where he was if not better.”
Rees-Zammit is amongst a number of cross-sport athletes to aim to safe a profession within the NFL through the league’s Worldwide Participant Pathway programme in recent times, Christian Wade having beforehand frolicked with the Buffalo Payments and Australia’s Jordan Mailata probably the most notable success story having simply received the Tremendous Bowl as beginning left deal with of the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Louis Ress Zammit speaks to Sky Sports activities after ending his NFL journey to return again to Rugby
The previous Gloucester man featured thrice for the Chiefs in preseason final yr whereas initially coaching as a working again. He later transformed to huge receiver upon becoming a member of the Jaguars, occupying the additional follow squad spot vacated for worldwide gamers.
Having been one of the vital recognised names in Welsh rugby, he now returns with a heightened profile with which to assist enhance Tandy’s set-up.
“It helps us. You look at people talking about him already, there’s more of an interest,” Tandy continued.
“Everybody wants their idols, we’ve already got ones here but the more we get and the more kids and supporters can identify with the more it’s going to help us with the feel-good feel around Welsh rugby.”
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Former Wales rugby participant Louis Rees-Zammit performed in 4 completely different positions in his Kansas Metropolis Chiefs debut!
Wales have 4 Autumn internationals arising in opposition to Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, paving the way in which to a swift return for Rees-Zammit.
Within the meantime he seems to be drawing curiosity from various membership groups, Tandy’s curiosity in his companies is retained no matter the place he lands.
“Hopefully in time we can really attract players like that with people not wanting to leave,” mentioned Tandy.
“I’m not saying it wouldn’t be the case, I’m very open-minded and want our best players available to us.
“Wherever he’s, there are three Check matches in autumn he can doubtlessly be accessible for and that is nice for us.”
