**Louis Rees-Zammit Reunites with Former Wales Colleagues During NFL Pre-Season Build-Up**
Former Wales rugby international, Louis Rees-Zammit, has found himself back on the training pitch with several familiar faces, as he intensifies preparations for what could prove to be a breakthrough season in the National Football League (NFL). In a remarkable twist, Rees-Zammit has been pictured training alongside ex-teammates Gareth Anscombe and Liam Williams, just weeks after expressing openness to a possible rugby union return in the future.
The 24-year-old, who once thrilled fans on the wing for Wales and Gloucester, now harbours ambitions of securing a permanent roster spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a stint last year with the Kansas City Chiefs, which saw him waived and subsequently picked up by the Jaguars’ practice squad, the Welshman is heading back to Florida for the team’s summer training camp, brimming with determination to make the 53-man roster.
Social media posts have revealed Rees-Zammit’s recent training sessions with longstanding associates Anscombe and Williams. The trio were seen together on a Welsh rugby field, with Rees-Zammit sharing a video of Gareth Anscombe kicking a ball for him – a scene that sparked nostalgic reactions from fans. Despite spending part of his recent off-season holidaying in the Maldives with girlfriend Drew Knotts, Rees-Zammit has swiftly reverted to a strict training regime.
The get-together is particularly notable as both Anscombe and Williams are facing fresh chapters themselves. Anscombe will soon relocate to France to embark on a new challenge in the Top 14 with Bayonne, whereas Williams, now 34, is currently a free agent following a spell at Saracens. Their reunion with Rees-Zammit comes at a transitional moment for all three players, symbolising both personal and professional crossroads.
In recent interviews, Rees-Zammit has not shied away from discussing the possibility of a rugby return further down the line. Speaking candidly to talkSPORT last month, he acknowledged the relatively short window international athletes are afforded to make an impact in the NFL. “International players get probably two to three years to make it in the NFL,” he remarked. “I wanted to have a go while still being young enough to go back to rugby, if that’s what happens.”
He elaborated further in a conversation with Sky Sports, revealing his ongoing affection for representing Wales. “My country will always hold a special place for me; playing for Wales was a dream come true,” he told reporters. However, he emphasised that, for now, his full attention is devoted to forging an NFL career, pointing out that “anything can happen” and keeping the door open for rugby in the future.
The transition from rugby union to American football is a formidable one, especially at the elite level. Rees-Zammit has spoken about the steep learning curve involved, including mastering his third NFL playbook in less than a year. “It’s been an intense process,” he explained, referencing the recent completion of a demanding 10-week training camp with Jacksonville. Enthusiastic about the next steps, he stated, “We’ve got a month off before pre-season starts, and I’m focused on earning my place.”
Industry observers suggest that Rees-Zammit’s adaptability and athletic prowess make him one of the more promising converts to try his hand at the NFL’s International Player Pathway. Yet, as he continues to draw energy from sessions with his old rugby compatriots, it remains to be seen whether his time in American football will mark a permanent career shift or simply a fascinating detour from his rugby roots.
What is clear, however, is that for now, Rees-Zammit is wholeheartedly committed to building on the foundation laid in his rookie NFL year. As the Jaguars prepare for a busy summer schedule, including a pre-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 10th, the coming months could prove pivotal for both his own sporting narrative and for fans tracking his transatlantic journey.
In the ever-evolving world of professional sport, few stories intrigue quite like that of a top Welsh rugby player seeking NFL stardom—while never definitively ruling out another chapter back in the red jersey of Wales.