Warren Gatland teases Wales return for Louis Rees-Zammit

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 11:44

byTom Sansom

The speculation continues around a possible return to rugby union for Louis Rees-Zammit, after the former Wales and British & Irish Lions wing was let go from his contract in the NFL. Rees-Zammit successfully graduated the NFL's International Player Pathway, but is treading the waters of free agency after being released from his contract across the pond.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

The 23-year-old had initially signed a three-year deal a running back with the Kansas City Chiefs, yet was cut from the squad after just three months on the active roster of the defending Superbowl Champions.

Then, Rees-Zammit was picked up on the training squad for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that contract has also since expired. Rees-Zammit's former Wales head coach Warren Gatland told Ruck at the 2025 Men's Guinness Six Nations media launch event in Rome, that he would be only be delighted to have 'Rees-Lightning' back in his team.

"We'd love to have him back. You know, when he makes that decision. He made a massive decision to go. And I think that that would be entirely up to him. We would definitely if he decided to come back or there wasn't something for him and the NFL, then we'd welcome him with open arms.

"But he's got to decide himself whether he's given enough time, is 12 months enough to try to do something, my understanding is there might be something on the table from the Jaguars. I'm not sure. And then it's up to him, whether he decides to pursue that, or whether he wants to come back and continue to make a career in rugby."

It remains to be seen as to whether Rees-Zammit will return to rugby union in time for the 2025 Six Nations, yet an inclusion could not be entirely written off the cards.

One year ago, Rees-Zammit shocked the rugby landscape by quitting the sport just minutes before Warren Gatland was set to name the wing in his squad for the 2024 Six Nations. This caused the squad announcement to be delayed by an hour in Cardiff, yet Gatland wished Rees-Zammit well for his ventures into American Football.

Wales v South Africa Autumn Internationals 23/11/2024. Head Coach Warren Gatland of Wales during the pre match warm up before during the Autumn Internationals match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 23 November 2024. Cardiff Principality Stadium Wales Wales Editorial use only , Copyright: xSimonxKingx PSI-20851-0017

Should Rees-Zammit return to Wales, it would mark another instance of the NFL being an almighty tough league to break into as an athlete from outside of the United States.

Former Buffallo Bills running back Christian Wade is a recent example of a rugby star who's mission to break into America did not go to plan, as after a handful of seasons in the Bills practice squad, Wade returned to rugby with Racing 92, before taking up a new home in Gloucester, coincidentally filling Rees-Zammit's void on the wing at Kingsholm.

Quiz: Can you all of the Guinness Six Nations winning captains?

Securing victory in the Guinness Six Nations is undoubtedly special, but achieving this triumph as a captain is a feat that remains a distant dream for many.

In the storied history of Rugby's Greatest Championship, exceptional leaders have emerged—warriors of various forms, be they agile half-backs, towering second rows, or fearless flankers.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

Surnames only will be accepted.