Wales head coach Warren Gatland says there “will be a spot” for Louis Rees-Zammit ought to he resolve to return to rugby union amid his pursuit of a chance within the NFL.
Rees-Zammit spent the 2024 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars observe squad having left rugby on the eve of final yr’s Six Nations to hitch the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway programme.
He had initially signed with the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and featured closely in preseason earlier than being launched and picked up by the Jaguars.
The previous Gloucester winger didn’t characteristic for the Jaguars throughout the common season and not too long ago noticed his contract expire.
“We would love to have him back if he was available to us,” Gatland stated forward of the Six Nations. “We’re simply ready to see what occurs. My understanding is he has an strategy when it comes to being retained by Jacksonville. I do not find out about that. At any time when he desires to return again, he’d be greater than welcome again within the fold.
“He is solely been away for 12 months. It is about seeing what occurs when it comes to what selections are made within the US. He’d be greater than welcome again into the fold. If you make such an enormous determination when it comes to making an attempt to observe your goals, is 12 months sufficient to say you have tried? I do not know what the reply to that’s.
“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.”
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Rees-Zammit performed in 4 totally different positions on his Kansas Metropolis Chiefs debut!
The 23-year-old had initially been figuring out as a working again throughout his stint with the Chiefs, earlier than turning his focus to taking part in broad receiver with the Jags, a place he felt was extra suited to his skillset.
The Jaguars are primed to enter the 2025 marketing campaign beneath a brand new head coach after Doug Pederson was fired on the finish of the season following his facet’s 4-13 end.
Whereas acknowledging the hurdles dealing with Rees-Zammit in his pursuit of a chance within the NFL, Gatland believes the expertise could have been of profit no matter what the long run holds.
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The perfect of the motion from Houston Texans’ conflict with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the NFL Playoffs Divisional Spherical
“It’s offered a different perspective on what a different sport does,” Gatland added. “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 have not acquired sufficient expertise or data to touch upon whether or not he is adequate to play it, I simply know that if he does resolve to return again, then there will be a spot for him.”
Rees-Zammit had been one in every of 23 IPP athletes on an NFL roster final season, with an additional seventeenth observe squad roster spot reserved for worldwide gamers.
This yr’s IPP class notably consists of Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona in addition to Australia rugby union worldwide Jordan Petaia and Ulster participant Aaron Sexton. Representing the UK is former NFL Academy defensive sort out Dante Barnett and defensive lineman/linebacker Mapalo ‘Maz’ Mwansa.
What’s subsequent?
It is the NFL Convention Championships on Sunday January 26 – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL – with the Philadelphia Eagles first internet hosting the Washington Commanders within the NFC title sport from 8pm, after which the Chiefs taking over the Payments from 11.30pm.
Tremendous Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL.
