Rugby Bristol's Rees-Zammit makes return to Wales squad

LOUIS Rees-Zammit is back in the Wales squad after a two-year absence and an attempt to make it in the NFL.

- Phil BLANCHE

The British and Irish Lions wing, who won the last of his 32 caps at the 2023 World Cup, has been named in new head coach Steve Tandy’s first squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

Rees-Zammit made the switch to American Football in January 2024, joining the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play a competitive game in the NFL.

The 24-year-old returned to rugby by signing a season-long deal at Bristol in August - and Tandy has included him in a 39-strong squad for November Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, despite Rees-Zammit missing the Bears’ last two games with a foot injury.

“It's been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we've got,” said Tandy, who left his role as Scotland defence coach - a position he had held since 2019 - to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland’s departure in February.

“We've got to the decision of the selection, which we are really happy with.