Louis Rees-Zammit could be making shock return to rugby union

Thursday, 16 January 2025 at 14:34

bySteven Smith

Just four months after joining the Jacksonville Jaguars to kickstart his NFL journey, former Wales rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit is now back on the market as a free agent.

in October, Rees-Zammit opened up about the challenges of transitioning from rugby to American football."You get a lot of doubters within that, and you try not to listen to them," he admitted, showing the resilience that’s kept him in the game so far.

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Rees-Zammit and Royalty at Wembley

In October, the 23-year-old teamed up with Prince William to represent the NFL during its London showcase—a moment that spotlighted his dual-sport ambitions.

"Contract Expired"

A Jaguars spokesperson confirmed to talkSPORT that Rees-Zammit’s 2024 deal with the team has officially expired. Now, the speedster is free to sign with any franchise for the 2025 season if he decides to stick with the NFL dream.

Chiefs to Jaguars: The Journey So Far

Rees-Zammit, who swapped the rugby pitch for the gridiron, has been part of two NFL organizations—the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jaguars—since making the leap. However, the Welsh speedster has yet to make a game-day roster or take the field during a league match.

"I Knew This Was Going to Be Tough"

Speaking to talkSPORT

Jaguars in Transition

Amid a turbulent season, the Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson, further clouding Rees-Zammit’s future with the franchise. While discussions about a potential 2025 return have taken place, no decisions have been made on either side.

What’s Next?

Whether he returns to the NFL or returns rugby, Rees-Zammit’s journey continues to captivate fans on either sides of the Atlantic.

Louis Rees-Zammit's dating history:

But it's not just his professional life making headlines. Rees-Zammit's personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend's daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.

Alicia Scholes

In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit’s Welsh roots. He firmly replied, "Wales*".

In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.

Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.

Saffron Barker

Following his NFL trial day, Rees-Zammit ended his relationship with influencer Saffron Barker. The couple had gone public after the Rugby World Cup, but their relationship faced challenges with his move to the US.

Saffron addressed the breakup on social media, expressing gratitude for the support from her fans and hinting at a positive future.

She wrote to her fans: "Hi everyone. I have so much exciting news to update you on, and I promise to keep you all posted on that."

"For now though I wanted to address some of the questions re my relationship. Whilst I won't be going into any detail, I am no longer in a relationship. I am fully focused on my well-being, wonderful family, & career," she further commented. Saffron continued in the recent post:

"I want to thank all of the incredible people who have sent me messages of love & strength over the past few weeks. I have read every single one & I can't tell you how much it has meant to me."

Saffron - who has more than two million subscribers on her YouTube channel - concluded by writing: "I know good things come to good people so I hold onto the hope that 2024 is going to be a positive year for me. Lots of love."

Xandra Pohl

Recently single, Rees-Zammit has been spotted with Sports Illustrated model and TikTok sensation Xandra Pohl. The pair were seen enjoying a day out at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, sparking rumors of a new romance.

Xandra, a successful DJ who has played at high-profile venues including Ushuaia Ibiza, is set to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.

Alongside his new relationship, Rees-Zammit has also been embracing the Kansas City lifestyle, attending Travis Kelce's 'Kelce Jam' festival and sporting a new ear piercing.

As Louis Rees-Zammit continues to make waves both on and off the field, his journey in the NFL is one to watch closely.