A try, a fight and a pantomime reception - Louis Rees-Zammit hailed as 'outstanding' on full Bristol Bears debut against Gloucester
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Published 20/09/2025 at 13:57 GMT+1
Louis Rees-Zammit made his first start for Bristol Bears away to his former employers Gloucester in the PREM Rugby Cup on Friday, and it was an eventful night. The Welsh winger, marking his return after 18 months in the NFL, scored a try and earned a yellow card in front of a hostile crowd at Kingsholm. He was branded "outstanding" by coach Pat Lam after the 40-24 victory.
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There were fireworks on Louis Rees-Zammit’s full Bristol Bears debut as the Welsh winger scored a try and was sin-binned for a scuffle in a 40-24 win over his former club Gloucester.
Rees-Zammit returned to rugby union this summer after an 18-month spell attempting to make a breakthrough as an American football player through the NFL’s International Player Pathway.
The 24-year-old had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the United States, but failed to make a competitive appearance and said on his return in August that he felt he was "wasting his talent" in the NFL.
He penned a one-year deal with Bristol for the 2025/26 season, and made his first start on Friday night in the familiar surroundings of his former home Kingsholm, where he was given a hostile reception by the Gloucester fans.
Things started brilliantly as Rees-Zammit hit a superb line to carve through the home defence and sprint over the line for his first try in Bristol colours, to boos from the home supporters.
He was then subjected to sarcastic cheers when he fumbled a bouncing ball five metres from the try line to be denied a second.
A scuffle with Gloucester openside flanker Caio James on the floor then resulted in both players being shown yellow cards and reprimanded by referee Hamish Smales, who called it a "horrible picture".
The pair appeared to continue a verbal spat as they left the pitch, to more boos from the Gloucester supporters.
Rees-Zammit’s full debut came to an end on the 56th-minute mark when he was replaced by Max Pepper, as the Bears went on to claim a convincing victory.
"I thought Louis Rees-Zammit was outstanding, you could see his pace for his try," said Bears boss Pat Lam afterwards.
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It was his second competitive outing for Bristol, after coming off the bench in a 24-15 PREM Cup defeat to Sale Sharks as he builds towards the start of a new league season.
The former British & Irish Lion will now hope to keep his starting spot for their opening game of the PREM Rugby season against Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Sunday, September 28, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Rees-Zammit cuts a bulkier figure than when he was last on English rugby pitches.
He said he put on around 10 kilograms while in the NFL but has since got back down towards his target weight for rugby union.
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Louis Rees-Zammit of Bristol Bears is sin binned during the PREM Rugby Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and Bristol Bears at Kingsholm
Image credit: Getty Images
"I got up to like 105 kilos and my playing weight in rugby was probably about 96," Rees-Zammit said in the summer.
"Over the last couple of months I have really got myself back to about 100kg, and now I am actually doing rugby training, I think I can get straight back down to that 96-98kg range and that is probably perfect for me."
Rees-Zammit will also be hoping to be picked by new Wales head coach Steve Tandy for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series games, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Wales, who ended a miserable 18-match run of Test defeats by beating Japan in the summer, face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November.
When asked about the winger following his appointment in August, Tandy was very positive about the news of Rees-Zammit’s return to the selection pool.
"Zammo brings a big effect and excitement by coming back," said Tandy.
"He’s gone away to experience something new, which is class. I’m sure he will be in outstanding physical condition. The more players we have available to represent our country the better."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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