Louis Rees-Zammit edging closer to a deal with Eddie Hearn wouldn’t exactly come out of nowhere — in fact, it fits a growing trend.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Hearn and Matchroom Sport have been aggressively expanding beyond traditional boxing, snapping up elite talent and marketable names across multiple sports.
In boxing alone, the Matchroom stable already includes global stars like Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol and Shakur Stevenson, alongside rising names such as Jesse Rodriguez and Diego Pacheco.
But crucially, Hearn has also started targeting rugby union. Finn Russell and Henry Pollock have already signed with Matchroom’s talent agency in recent weeks, signalling a clear strategy to bring in high-profile, media-friendly athletes.
That’s why a move for Rees-Zammit would feel less like a shock and more like the next logical step. He’s arguably one of rugby’s most recognisable faces, combining elite athleticism with serious commercial appeal — exactly the profile Hearn has been targeting.
RUCK understands that while no formal negotiations have officially begun, there has already been a conversation regarding a potential link-up. Sources indicate it remains at an early stage, but the fact dialogue has taken place will only add fuel to growing speculation.
Matchroom have also continued signing young prospects and Olympians to build future stars, showing they’re thinking long-term as well as chasing big names.
So if Rees-Zammit does make the switch, it wouldn’t be a bolt from the blue — it would be right in line with where Hearn is taking his empire.
Eddie Hearn plots next wave of superstar rugby signings
If Hearn really wants to shake the sport, here are four names he should be chasing next.
4. Noah Caluori
A lesser-known but intriguing prospect, Caluori represents the kind of talent Hearn loves: raw, marketable, and on the rise.
While not yet a household name, players in this bracket offer huge upside if positioned correctly.
Hearn’s entire strategy revolves around spotting personalities early and building their commercial identity alongside their on-field growth.
If he can replicate what he sees in Pollock — charisma, edge, and narrative — Caluori could become a breakout figure under the Matchroom banner rather than just another squad player.
