Louis Rees-Zammit: I’m loving playing at full-back for Bristol Bears and Wales

Louis Rees-Zammit is relishing playing at full-back for Bristol Bears and Wales and getting more comfortable in the position every match.

“Playing at full-back gives me a lot more freedom,” said Rees-Zammit, a wing who was picked at full-back for Wales by Warren Gatland at the end of the 2023 Six Nations in what turned out to be a one-off before he left to play American football the following year.

“I am loving playing there. At Bristol, I get more touches on the ball, and I did for Wales against Italy when there was a bit more space, and the boys are good at putting me into it.

“I have had 11 games and the more I play there the more comfortable I feel. It has helped me improve as a player and I know it will take time.

Coach: Pat Lam

Grateful

He added: “Bristol and Wales have different systems. Pat (Lam, director of rugby) has had nine years with the Bears, whereas Steve (Tandy) has been in charge of Wales for six months.”

Ress-Zammit joined Bristol at the end of last summer after returning from the United States, where his bid to become an NFL player failed to negotiate the final hurdle.

The 25-year old, who was born in Penarth, had spent seven seasons with Gloucester before chasing his American football dream.

He signed a short-term deal with Bristol with R360, then confident of launching later this year, but agreed an extension when its start was delayed.

“I joined Bristol because of the way they play and the squad they have got,” said Rees-Zammit. “I am so happy to be here and grateful, which is why I signed for another two years.

“We have an unbelievable team: the forwards can play and be really physical and there are backs who can create something out of nothing. It is the perfect place for me to be.”

Bristol fashion: Louis Rees-Zammit on the attack for Bristol Bears
PICTURES: Getty Images

Rusty phase

Rees-Zammit was away from rugby for 18 months, leaving Gloucester just before the start of the 2024 Six Nations after winning a place on the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

“It is tough getting back up to speed when you have been away for that long,” said Rees-Zammit, whose first four appearances for Bristol were on the wing with the last seven spent at full-back.

“I went through a rusty phase, but you have to train your way through it and get matches under your belt – I feel a lot more sharp now, and at 25, I do not think I have reached my prime.

“I think that if I had gone to America later in my career, it would have limited my options coming back – I am learning off my team-mates and coaches and want to become one of the best players in the world.”

Wales wasted no time in calling on Rees-Zammit.

Stuck together

He came off the bench in the autumn series opener against Argentina, scored a try against Japan and New Zealand on the wing and started all five matches in the Six Nations at fullback.

“We knew that our performance in the first game against England was not up to the standard of international rugby,” said Rees-Zammit.

“Everyone stuck together and we started to turn things around even though we seemed to be playing a form team each time.

“We just lost to Scotland, and it was the same in Ireland before we beat Italy, who were coming off a big win against England.

“Those games showed how hard we worked on our defence after England and France and we can look forward to the future.”

Rees-Zammit may not have scored a try in the Six Nations, but he is Wales’s most potent threat behind.

Position

Lam believes his position going forward is full-back and Wales are not brimming with alternatives.

Rees-Zammit has a family connection at full-back.

His uncle, Paul Rees, played for Cardiff, Pontypool and Wales B in the 1980s. If he did not quite have the 0-60 performance of his nephew, he was immovable under the high ball.

“I thrive in transition,” said Rees-Zammit. “I will play wherever the coach wants me.

“Pat and Steve both said at the start of the season they wanted to play me at full-back. If they change their minds, I will go back to the wing.”