Louis Rees-Zammit made his return to rugby union on Saturday afternoon, as he lined up for Bristol Bears within the PREM Rugby Cup towards Sale Sharks.
Welsh worldwide Louis Rees-Zammit will get got rid of by a Sale Sharks participant on his debut. (Picture: PREM Rugby YouTube through Previous Downbadians RFC on X)
Louis Rees-Zammit skilled a “welcome again to rugby” second throughout his return to the game over the weekend. The Welsh worldwide turned out for Bristol Bears within the PREM Rugby Cup, marking his first look in rugby union since January 13, 2024, within the EPCR Problem Cup.
The Penarth flyer selected to go away rugby in January 2024, pursuing his ambition of enjoying American soccer within the NFL. After spells with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, issues did not pan out for Rees-Zammit, and he returned to rugby in August, placing pen to paper with the West Nation facet shortly afterwards.
It was anticipated that Rees-Zammit would make his bow for the Bears towards Leicester Tigers within the PREM Rugby opener at Ashton Gate later this month, however supervisor Pat Lam opted to offer his new winger a run-out within the cup initially.
Regardless of Lam being glad with what he witnessed on Saturday afternoon, there was a second the place Rees-Zammit was reminded of simply how ruthless rugby will be.
In dreadful situations, 22-year-old Rekeiti Ma’asi-White broke down the left wing, and delivered a thunderous hand-off on Rees-Zammit, who was despatched tumbling backwards.
It isn’t as if Rees-Zammit was unfamiliar with contact while he was enjoying American soccer, however the lack of protecting padding will likely be one thing to get used to for the Welshman.
Throughout his time within the NFL, Rees-Zammit performed as a large receiver and operating again. He instructed the media that he felt like he was losing his expertise in America, and that is why he determined to return to rugby.
Take a look at the clip under. It has been shared on social media by Tight 5 Rugby with the caption: “Welcome again to the true stuff, Louis Rees-Zammit! Rekeiti Ma’asi-White exhibiting no mercy.”
?????? Welcome again to the true stuff, Louis Rees-Zammit!
Rekeiti Ma’asi-White exhibiting no mercy. #PREMRugbyCup
pic.twitter.com/3r6UyvkWGn— Tight 5 Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) September 15, 2025
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Rees-Zammit had a 30-minute stint towards Sale Sharks, which led to a 24-15 victory for the northern facet. Bristol’s head coach Lam was stuffed with reward for the winger after his spectacular comeback.
“The optimistic is he obtained on the market, he obtained some sport time,” mentioned Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam throughout an interview with BBC Radio Bristol.
“You could possibly see he tried to have a go a few instances, he is a menace. Sadly by the point he got here on the rain was coming down for him, however you possibly can see how harmful he’s.
“That is step one of some large steps he will make going via. He obtained via it, he is completely satisfied, I am completely satisfied and we’ll transfer to the following stage.”
Pat Lam was happy with Louis Rees-Zammit’s efficiency towards Sale Sharks. (Picture: Getty)
The Bears additionally noticed 4 different gamers making their debut that day, together with Luka Ivanishvili, Josh Carrington and Max Pepper. Rees-Zammit is predicted to face his former membership Gloucester within the cup on Friday, confirmed Lam.
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“That is an enormous confidence builder him simply to get again in. Subsequent week he’ll get a great likelihood to take the following step and preserve bettering,” added the Bears boss.
“It is a large journey for him. He’ll be concerned, we’ll simply see how all of us look after we get again to coaching.”
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