Louis Rees‑Zammit makes Wales return after call up for Quilter Nations Series 39-man squad after NFL career-change

Wales have recalled wing Louis Rees‑Zammit for their Quilter Nations Series, marking a return to the national set‑up two years after his final cap and his dramatic switch from rugby union to American football.

The 24‑year‑old left the sport in January 2024 for the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme, signing contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play in a competitive regular‑season game.

He ultimately decided to return to rugby union in August 2025, citing frustration with his limited opportunity in the NFL and saying he felt he was "wasting his talent".

The move back was also motivated by his desire to play for Wales again and reignite a career that had started strongly in union.

Rees‑Zammit signed a season‑long deal with PREM Rugby side Bristol Bears and marked his comeback in style with a try‑scoring debut in his side's 40-24 win over Leicester last month.

His international recall coincides with the inclusion of fellow returns: Saracens prop Rhys Carre and Cardiff fly‑half Callum Sheedy. Meanwhile, Cardiff wing Tom Bowen misses out on a maiden call‑up, and Ospreys back‑row stalwart Ross Moriarty is also overlooked.

Wales’ 39‑man squad for their four November Tests features five uncapped players: Ospreys second‑row James Fender, back‑row Morgan Morse, Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, Cardiff prop Danny Southworth, and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.

The 744-capped squad is also led by British & Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan and averages 26 years of age - signalling a blend of recall experience and fresh faces as Wales seek to rebuild their momentum.

Wales' players will report to their training base just outside Cardiff on Monday as preparations begin for the upcoming autumn internationals.

Newly appointed head coach Steve Tandy will officially begin his tenure with a challenging run of fixtures, starting against Argentina on Sunday, 9 November. Tests against Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa will follow, marking a demanding first assignment for the former Scotland defence coach.

Tandy inherits a Wales side ranked 12th in the world and one that only ended an 18-match winless streak in July with a victory over Japan in Kobe.

"It's been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we've got," said Tandy.

"There's a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting, and I can't wait to get the boys into camp on Monday. "It's a new time and there are some new faces in and around the playing group as well."

Saracens prop Carre, who has started the season strongly, had previously been ineligible under the Welsh Rugby Union’s 25-cap policy for players based outside Wales - he currently has 20 caps - but the WRU confirmed his selection was approved by the Professional Rugby Board.

Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return after missing the summer tour of Japan due to rest and surgery, respectively. Also recalled are Sheedy, Jacob Beetham, Rhys Davies, Rio Dyer, Jarrod Evans, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn, and Nick Tompkins.

However, lock Will Rowlands is absent, having announced his retirement from international rugby shortly before the squad was revealed on Tuesday.

Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff), James Fender (Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Josh Adams (Cardiff), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).

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