'Put him straight in the team' - Sam Warburton calls for Louis Rees-Zammit's immediate Wales return in Autumn Nations Series after NFL spell ends
Published 01/08/2025 at 15:59 GMT+1
Sam Warburton has insisted that Louis Rees-Zammit should return to the Wales set-up after the 24-year-old announced he is leaving the NFL to play rugby union again. Rees-Zammit won 32 Wales caps and was a British & Irish Lions tourist before quitting rugby 18 months ago to pursue a career playing American football. He spent the 2024 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.
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Video credit: SNTV
Sam Warburton insisted that Louis Rees-Zammit should make an immediate return to the Wales team for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series after the 24-year-old announced he is leaving the NFL to go back to rugby union.
Former Gloucester wing Rees-Zammit won 32 caps for Wales and was a tourist with the British & Irish Lions, before quitting rugby 18 months ago to pursue a career playing American football.
While having spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, Rees-Zammit did not feature in a regular-season NFL game. He spent the entire 2024 season as part of the latter’s practice squad.
Former Wales and Lions skipper Warburton gave his reaction to the news in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.
"From a Welsh rugby perspective I was delighted to see him come back," Warburton said. "I’m really pleased to see him in.
"I would love the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) to make a big play for him to come back. When the Welsh Rugby Union needs some positive PR, and we want to see an upward trajectory now."
Welsh rugby has endured a torrid time, having only last month ended an 18-match losing Test run with a 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe.
Warburton continued: "They’ve obviously got that monkey off their back of getting rid of the 18-game losing streak.
"To also bring Zammit back to one of the home-grown clubs - I know it’s up in the air at the moment which region that is. But, I think they’ve got to try everything to get Zammit back in Wales.
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"It’s great for publicity. Great for fans, and when he returns to play, it’s great for ticket sales and shirt sales.
"I think it will be brilliant. I fully expect him to be back in the Wales squad straight away in November.
"I would put him straight in the team. He’s one of our box office, X-Factor players."
Rees-Zammit's next chance to pull on a Wales shirt will be during the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Steve Tandy's side host Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa in Cardiff in November as they look to finish a difficult year on a high.
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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