Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales head coach Warren Gatland opens door to return to rugby union amid pursuit of NFL career | NFL news
Wales head coach Warren Gatland says “there will be room” for Louis Rees-Zammit if he decides to return to rugby union as he pursues an opportunity in the NFL.
Rees-Zammit spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars training squad after leaving rugby ahead of last year’s Six Nations to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
He initially signed with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and played in the preseason before being released and picked up by the Jaguars.
The former Gloucester winger did not play for the Jaguars during the regular season and was recently out of contract.
“We would love to have him back if he was available,” Gatland said ahead of the Six Nations. “We’re just waiting to see what happens. My understanding is that he has an approach in terms of Jacksonville keeping him. 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 decisions being made in the US. He would be more than welcome to come 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 tried? I don’t know what the answer is to that?
“There are many stories about him. I still wish him the best. I would be more than happy to welcome him with open arms.”
The 23-year-old initially worked out as a running back during his time with the Chiefs, before focusing on playing wide receiver with the Jags, a position he felt better suited his skills.
The Jaguars are poised to enter the 2025 campaign under a new head coach after Doug Pederson was fired at the end of the season after his team finished 4-13.
While acknowledging the hurdles Rees-Zammit faces in his pursuit of an NFL opportunity, Gatland believes the experience will be beneficial regardless of the future.
“It offers a different perspective on what a different sport does,” added Gatland. “He said himself that things are brutal there; American sports are brutal. You get a text or a call to show up with your stuff and see you later and you’re gone. Players get traded, they get that call saying they’re sorry what you were No debate, no debate From a growth standpoint, it will give him a different perspective.
“I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to comment on whether he is good enough to play it, I just know that if he decides to come back, then there will be a place for him.”
Rees-Zammit was one of 23 IPP athletes on an NFL roster last season, with an additional 17th on the practice squad roster reserved for international players.
This year’s IPP class notably includes Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stone, as well as Australian rugby player Jordan Petaiah and Ulster player Aaron Sexton. UK is represented by former NFL Academy linebacker Dante Barnett and linebacker/linebacker Mapalo ‘Maz’ Mwansa.
What’s next?
Sunday January 26th is the NFL Conference Championships – Live Sky Sports NFL – with the Philadelphia Eagles first hosting the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game at 8 p.m., followed by the Chiefs taking on the Bills at 11:30 p.m.
Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.
