Louis Rees-Zammit set to quit Wales again before even making his return
Rugby NewsThursday, 30 October 2025 at 12:59
Wales face a big opener vs Argentina but have a strong chance to top this pool. Samoa adds intrigue as the dark horse.
Louis Rees-Zammit has made a thunderous return to rugby union, crossing for a stunning 60-metre try on his Bristol Bears debut after signing a one-year deal following his 18-month NFL adventure.
But while Bears fans are buzzing, they may not want to get too comfortable — reports suggest the electric winger is already a prime target for a blockbuster move to the new, big-spending R360 rugby league.
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Louis Rees-Zammit swapped rugby for gridiron back in March 2024, joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme and featuring with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars before deciding to return home.
Bristol moved quickly to secure his signature for the 2025/26 campaign, and the former Wales star wasted no time reminding everyone of his world-class pace — scorching in for a trademark solo effort in last weekend’s win over Leicester Tigers.
However, head coach Pat Lam has already admitted there are no guarantees that Rees-Zammit will stick around beyond this season.
“I know a few of the guys have been approached, and that is their business,” Lam told RugbyPass. “All we can control is who is here now. Loyalty in rugby went out when it became professional. We are loyal to players who sign up here.”
R360 — bankrolled by multi-billion-dollar investment — is aggressively pursuing global stars to front its ambitious new competition, and insiders suggest Louis Rees-Zammit is high on their wishlist. The deal on offer is said to dwarf anything available in the Gallagher Premiership.
For Bristol, it’s a delicate situation. While Rees-Zammit’s presence will undoubtedly light up Ashton Gate, there’s growing concern that he could be tempted away after just one season — potentially putting his international career on hold once again if he joins the breakaway league.
The big question now: will this be the start of a long-term chapter for Rees-Zammit in English rugby, or just a dazzling one-season showcase before a mega-money switch to R360 next summer?
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2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW
Organisers have confirmed the Rugby World Cup Draw will take place on 3 December 2025 – and it’s set to be a blockbuster
With the new six-pool format confirmed, here’s a projected draw based on current World Rugby Rankings — with Wales sitting in Band 2.
2027 Rugby World Cup draw
Pool A – “The Powerhouse Pool”
South Africa (Band 1) — Reigning World Champions, famed for their physical dominance and tactical brilliance.
Australia (Band 2) — Rugby hosts with a rich history and a passionate home crowd.
Japan (Band 3) — High-paced attackers who stunned the world in 2019.
Portugal (Band 4) — Rising force in European rugby, known for their scrappy determination.
? Storyline: South Africa vs Australia could be a World Cup final preview — Portugal and Japan will battle for third place.
Pool B – “The Six Nations Clash”
Ireland (Band 1) — Consistently at the top of world rugby, masters of strategic play.
Scotland (Band 2) — Brave and battle-hardened, with a history of giant-killing performances.
Spain (Band 3) — Emerging side bringing flair and unpredictability.
Romania (Band 4) — Rugby stalwarts with physical forward packs.
? Storyline: Ireland and Scotland renew their rivalry in a high-stakes pool. Spain could cause an upset.
Pool C – “The Wild Card Pool”
New Zealand (Band 1) — The All Blacks, rugby royalty with speed, skill, and killer instinct.
Fiji (Band 2) — Fijian flair and athleticism make them dangerous in any matchup.
USA (Band 3) — Big, athletic squad with growing ambitions.
Hong Kong China (Band 4) — Developing team looking to make an impact on the world stage.
? Storyline: Expect fireworks between New Zealand and Fiji; USA and Hong Kong will battle for the third spot.
Pool D – “The European Throwdown”
France (Band 1) — World Cup hosts in 2023, dynamic attackers, crowd favourites.
Italy (Band 2) — Tough, resilient side with big scrummaging power.
Tonga (Band 3) — Physical, passionate, unpredictable warriors.
Canada (Band 4) — Experienced team, looking to build consistency.
? Storyline: France should lead this pool, but Tonga’s unpredictability makes this one dangerous.
Pool E – “The Battleground of Grit”
England (Band 1) — Powerful, well-drilled side with a deep tactical playbook.
Georgia (Band 2) — Known for a dominant forward pack and fierce defence.
Uruguay (Band 3) — South American fighters with resilience to match their passion.
Zimbabwe (Band 4) — Underdogs aiming to shock the world.
? Storyline: England’s depth makes them favourites, but Georgia could make it interesting.
Pool F – “The Wales Challenge”
Argentina (Band 1) — Tough, skilled, and battle-tested with World Cup pedigree.
Wales (Band 2) — Six Nations contenders with a blend of power and precision.
Chile (Band 3) — South American dark horse making their mark.
Samoa (Band 4) — Fierce underdogs with a proud history and attacking flair.
? Storyline:
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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