**Louis Rees-Zammit Agrees Sensational Move to Proposed Rebel Rugby League as Jaguars Cut Ties**
Welsh rugby’s Louis Rees-Zammit is making headlines once again after reports emerged that he has agreed to become one of the marquee signings in a new breakaway rugby league set to launch in 2026. The news, initially broken by The Daily Mail, has sent shockwaves through the sport as Rees-Zammit appears ready to throw his support behind the ambitious R360 project. The proposal for a global league could significantly alter the landscape of professional rugby as it currently exists.
According to multiple sources, the new competition is being spearheaded by high-profile figures such as England’s Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall, ex-Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, and leading agent Mark Spoors. Their vision involves creating a dozen franchise teams comprised of world-class talent, with matches staged across international venues. Rees-Zammit is expected to sign a short-term contract with a club in England or France for the coming season before fully committing to the new league when it gets underway.
The dramatic development comes amid considerable uncertainty about rugby’s packed global calendar, raising questions about player availability and scheduling. Nevertheless, there is intense speculation that several stars from both England and Wales, including the likes of Jac Morgan, are in the sights of R360 organisers. Reports suggest that some players could be offered salaries approaching £740,000 per year – a figure that dwarfs many current rugby union contracts.
In a recent interview, Rees-Zammit shared insights into his current situation: “Obviously, I can’t name teams, we’ve had a load of interest, which is unbelievable and I’m very grateful for that,” he explained. He went on to highlight how he and his brother are carefully considering their options, focusing on finding a destination that suits his ambitions and logistics given the rapidly approaching season. “It’s about finding the right team for me, in terms of location, how quick I’ve got to get into camp … all these things are going to happen pretty sharpish,” he added.
Adding to the drama, the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars released a blunt statement confirming they had released Rees-Zammit, without offering any further explanation. Their announcement simply read: “The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed OL Ricky Lee… the team has waived WR Louis Rees-Zammit.” The sparse communication has left supporters speculating about the reasoning behind the move and what it may mean for the Welsh speedster’s immediate future.
Elsewhere in Welsh rugby, the women’s side faces an anxious wait over the fitness of key player Alex Callender. The back row, who was recently named co-captain, took an early injury blow during their 36–5 defeat to Australia in Sydney, departing the pitch after just four minutes. Seen on crutches and in a protective boot on the sideline, Callender will undergo a scan, with head coach Seann Lynn promising further updates in the coming days. The timing is especially concerning, given the Women’s Rugby World Cup is just three weeks away and squad announcements are imminent.
After the match, her co-captain Kate Williams voiced her disappointment: “I’m gutted for her, we were both excited to see how we’d work together for the World Cup,” she noted, while also admitting the realities and unpredictabilities inherent in rugby. Callender’s stellar performance in the previous fixture, where she made 24 tackles and 16 carries, underscores the potential impact her absence could have on the team moving forward.
The men’s game also generated significant interest this week with Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong looking ahead to what may be his last British and Irish Lions Test against Australia. A mainstay in the squad with nine consecutive Test starts, Furlong admitted that, at 37 during the next tour, his involvement would be unlikely. Reflecting on his Lions tenure, he said, “Sometimes the last memory is the lasting memory you have in a jersey. I want it to be a good one,” underscoring the emotion attached to such milestones.
Taken together, these developments highlight a period of profound transition for rugby, as both emerging league proposals and the careers of notable internationals hang in the balance. Whether the R360 league successfully lifts off remains to be seen, but there is no denying the next chapter in professional rugby could look very different – with Louis Rees-Zammit at its forefront.