Louis Rees-Zammit has been told he would be welcomed back to rugby with open arms as he ponders his next step after being released by NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars.
At the start of 2024, the former Wales and Gloucester wing dramatically left the sport he grew up playing to pursue his childhood dream of making it in American Football.
After taking part in the NFL’s International Player Pathway, Rees-Zammit signed for Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs before switching to Jacksonville.
The 23-year-old is currently not contracted to the Jaguars and is a free agent, so his immediate future remains unclear. He has spent the past week on holiday in Asia.
MailSport understands the Jaguars have offered Rees-Zammit a deal for next season, but Wales head coach Warren Gatland has opened the door to a possible rugby return.
‘We would love to have him back if he was available to us,’ Gatland said of Rees-Zammit, who scored 14 tries in 32 rugby Tests before switching sports.
Louis Rees-Zammit has been told he would be welcomed back to rugby with open arms
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has opened the door to a possible return to rugby
At the start of 2024, the former Wales and Gloucester wing dramatically quit rugby for the NFL
‘We’re just waiting to see what happens. My understanding is he has an approach in terms of being retained by Jacksonville.
‘Whenever he wants to come back, he’d be more than welcome back in the fold. I’d welcome him back with open arms. I haven’t spoken to him.
‘He’s only been away for 12 months. It’s about seeing what happens in terms of what decisions are made in the US.
‘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.
‘He’s said this is his dream, so does he do another year there trying to get into a squad or a training squad?
‘I haven’t got enough experience or knowledge to comment on whether he’s good enough. I just know if he does decide to come back, then there’ll be a spot for him.
‘There are a lot of stories about him out there. I continue to wish him all the best.’
Rees-Zammit is yet to make a senior NFL appearance, but it is understood he is reticent to turn his back on his American only a year into moving continents.
The 23-year-old Welshman has an offer on the table to rejoin the Jacksonville Jaguars
He has spent the past week on holiday in Asia following the end of the NFL regular season
Whatever happens in the future, Gatland believes Rees-Zammit will be all the better for his NFL experience.
If he was to one day be interested in a rugby return, Rees-Zammit would certainly add depth to a struggling Wales side who are on a run of 12 straight Test defeats.
‘He’s said himself American sport is brutal – you get a text or a call to turn up with your stuff and then it’s “see you later, you’re gone”,’ Gatland said.
‘Players are traded. There’s no discussion, no debate. From a growth point of view, that will give him a different perspective.’
