Wales head coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that there “will be a spot” for Louis Rees-Zammit in his squad if he should decide to make a return to rugby union.
Rees-Zammit departed the 15-a-side code in spectacular fashion last January to join the NFL International Player Pathway which gives elite athletes from around the world the chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
He initially signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs but was then cut from their roster before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite that switch, the 23-year-old failed to make his debut during the NFL regular season and is currently a free agent after his contract with the Florida-based outfit ended.
Keen to use Rees-Zammit again
And although it was reported recently that the Jaguars have given the Welshman a chance to keep his dream of playing in the NFL alive by offering him a deal to return next season, Gatland has left the door open for Rees-Zammit‘s return to rugby union.
“We would love to have him back if he was available to us,” said Gatland ahead of the Six Nations.
“We’re just waiting to see what happens. My understanding is he has an approach in terms of being retained by Jacksonville. I don’t know about that. Whenever he wants to come back, he’d be more than welcome back in the fold.
“He’s only been away for 12 months. It’s about seeing what happens in terms of what decisions are made in the US. He’d be more than welcome back into the fold. When you make such a big decision in terms of trying to follow your dreams, is 12 months enough to say you’ve tried? I don’t know what the answer to that is.
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“There are a lot of stories about him out there. I continue to wish him all the best. I’d be more than happy to welcome him back with open arms.”
Rees-Zammit, who shone on the wing at club level for Gloucester and in the international arena with Wales, tried out as a running back during his spell with the Chiefs, before switching to the wide receiver role with the Jaguars, and he felt the latter position was more suited to his skillset.
The Jaguars will have a new head coach after Doug Pederson was fired at the end of the 2024/25 campaign following a poor campaign from his side in which they won just four matches and lost 13.
Gatland acknowledged that Rees-Zammit faced several hurdles while pursuing his NFL dream but feels the experience will be beneficial to the player regardless of what his next career move is.
‘American sport is brutal’
“It’s offered a different perspective on what a different sport does,” added the coach. “He’s said himself things are brutal there; American sport is brutal.
“You get a text or a call to turn up with your stuff and see you later you’re gone. Players are traded, they get that call saying sorry you’ve been traded to another team. There’s no discussion, no debate. From a growth point of view, that will give him a different perspective.
“I haven’t got enough experience or knowledge to comment on whether he’s good enough to play it, I just know that if he does decide to come back, then there’ll be a spot for him.”
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Publish date : 2025-01-22 12:57:22
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