Louis Rees-Zammit is set to make his long-awaited return to rugby this weekend, with Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam confirming the Welsh flyer will feature in Saturday’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash away to Sale Sharks.
The 24-year-old has been absent from the sport for the past 18 months following his high-profile switch to American football. But Lam insists the former Gloucester and Wales wing has lost none of the electric pace that once made him one of the most feared finishers in world rugby.
“Louis Rees-Zammit, man, he is quick,” said Lam. “Some of the things he’s done in training are what we’ve seen in his highlights reel and what’s exciting about him. Some of the things he’s done in training are just impressive.
“Jack Bates is up there, he’s pretty fast as well, and we’ve got some quick nines and other quick backs, but he’s the fastest, 100%.”
Footage of Rees-Zammit scoring a dazzling solo try in training emerged last week, fuelling anticipation over his return. Lam also revealed the winger has undergone significant physical changes since leaving the United States, shedding weight to meet the demands of professional rugby once again.
“He’s already said publicly that he needs to chop some weight, which he’s already done and has a bit more to do,” added Lam. “In the first two training sessions, he was blowing really hard and just getting back into rugby training.
“Certainly in our back three, there’s more work rate in there, but over the last couple of weeks you can see the improvement coming in as well. I want to make sure that he’s in the right place before that first Premiership game, because there’s going to be so much attention on him. But every day he’s getting better.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy will be watching developments closely, with his first campaign in charge featuring daunting Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and reigning world champions South Africa. The prospect of having Rees-Zammit back in a red jersey is certain to excite Welsh supporters.
Lam is encouraged by how quickly the winger is reintegrating. “We talk about 1,000 touches a week. He’s finished training with a lot of skill work, which is what we do anyway, so he’s had his hand on the ball a lot more.
“He’s had a lot of work on cohesion with the other guys. Him and Gabs Ibitoye together are training well, one creating for the other, so that was exciting.”
Rees-Zammit’s return in Bristol colours this weekend will be the first step in what many hope is a swift journey back to the international stage.
