Louis Rees-Zammit announced his return to rugby in the most spectacular fashion on Saturday, racing from deep inside his own half to score a stunning individual try that sealed Bristol Bears’ 42-24 win over Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate.
The 24-year-old Wales wing, making his first Gallagher Premiership appearance since returning from an 18-month spell attempting to break into American football, had been relatively quiet for much of the match, save for a couple of half-breaks. But in the dying moments, with Bristol already on course for victory, he produced a moment of brilliance that underlined his reputation as one of rugby’s most dangerous finishers.
Collecting the ball on the wing inside his own half, Rees-Zammit accelerated past his opposite number, Ollie Hassell-Collins, leaving the Leicester man grasping at thin air as he sprinted clear to score.
Former England international Austin Healey, commentating for TNT Sports, was left almost lost for words.
“Wheels!” he exclaimed. “That is wheels, Ally! Hassell-Collins is 20 metres ahead of him on the angle and he burns him. That is proper gas! I loved seeing that. As soon as he got the ball – try.”
Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton, also part of the commentary team, was equally impressed by the winger’s late burst.
“I think some people’s concerns might have been how does Rees-Zammit fare beyond 60 minutes because he hasn’t played a game which needs repeated efforts,” he said.
“But to do that in the 80th minute… anyone who doubted his condition from an endurance perspective has been answered. To run that fast that late in the game is special.”
Healey was not done with his praise, adding:
“If you like running, that is balanced. That is poetry when you see him moving like that.”
Rees-Zammit’s try capped a bonus-point victory for the Bears, who also crossed through Fitz Harding, Gabriel Ibitoye, Gabriel Oghre and Welshman Josh Carrington.
The result lifts Bristol’s spirits as they continue their Premiership campaign, while for Rees-Zammit, it was the clearest possible reminder of his game-changing ability – and a timely statement ahead of Wales’ autumn squad selection.
