Louis Rees-Zammit posted footage of the moment everything changed for him
Footage has resurfaced of Louis Rees-Zammit finding out he had been selected for the British & Irish Lions tour.
Four years ago, the Lions tour took place in South Africa, with Morne Steyn kicking the Springboks to a 19-16 victory in a COVID-19 world. Part of that squad was then-20-year-old Welsh star Rees-Zammit – the youngest player to be selected by the touring side since 1959.
Having starred in the 2021 Six Nations, his involvement in the Lions tour was a huge moment in his career, and helped him to become one of the most widely recognised rugby players on the planet before leaving to pursue his American football dream. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
As tradition dictates, players do not find out whether they are involved until everyone else does, so it’s a daunting experience of sitting in front of the TV with your fellow squad members and waiting for your name to be announced.
Back to 2021, the Gloucester Rugby squad were huddled in the team room doing exactly that. Scotland international Chris Harris was announced first, cueing a massive reaction from the Cherry and White boys.
Ali Price’s name is read off next, and then you hear “Louis Rees-…” before the entire room erupts, swarming the young winger in delight. You may notice a team-mate of Rees-Zammit at the centre of the celebrations, this is Isaac Marsh, also known as Kaizen Rugby – his best friend.
You can watch the clip below, Rees-Zammit titled it: “Team-mates like this.”
Marsh from ‘Kaizen Rugby’ has, of course, been helping to prepare Rees-Zammit for a new season in American football.
The Cardiff Metropolitan University student is attempting to make it as a professional player, but is an accomplished rugby coach too. He has been helping to sharpen up Rees-Zammit’s handling, footwork and conditioning as he attempts to make it in the NFL.
The former Wales international was on the books for Jaguars last season as part of their 17-player practice squad.
However, he did not get elevated to the main 53-man roster, with last season more of a learning campaign.
He has been re-signed to their active roster ahead of the next season, but will need to avoid being cut at the end of August, when teams must trim their collective down from 90-odd to 53, with another 17 on the practice squad.
In rugby, the British and Irish Lions squad will be announced next Thursday, May 8.
