
Louis Rees-Zammit has had ‘unbelievable' interest from rugby union teams
Rees-Zammit, 24, spent 18 months in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not feature for either franchise in a regular-season game.
The former Gloucester wing, who made 32 appearances for Wales and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2021, said he hopes to rekindle his international career.
Rees-Zammit told Sky Sports News: 'I can't name teams, but I've had a load of interest, which is unbelievable. I'm very grateful for that.
'The season starts pretty soon. So it's about finding the right team for me in terms of location, in terms of how quick I've got to get into camp, and because the season's right around the corner, so all of these things that are going to happen, are going to happen pretty sharpish.
'Me and my brother are going through negotiations and seeing teams interested, which is amazing. We should find out in the next week or so.'
Rees-Zammit quit rugby union in January 2024 in order to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL via its International Player Pathway Program.
He signed an active roster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 season after being part of their practice squad for the previous campaign and travelled to London for the games against the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots in October.
Following his decision to return to the 15-man game, Rees-Zammit has targeted a return for Wales, who he helped to their last Six Nations triumph in 2021.
He added: 'Playing for my country is the pinnacle and it's one that I absolutely love doing.
'I managed to play 32 times for my country in three, four years. I need to find a team. Once we find a team, get into good form and hopefully come Autumn Internationals, see where selection is.
'It's something that I'm really looking forward to and I really want to play for my country again.'
Rees-Zammit's ambition will come as a welcome boost to recently-appointed Wales head coach Steve Tandy, who takes over a side that only ended an 18-match losing streak that lasted almost two years with a hard-fought win over Japan last month.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sterling Sharpe joins brother in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
"If fate had dealt you a different hand," he added, speaking to Sterling, "there is no question, no question in my mind we would have become the first brothers to be elected to the Hall of Fame." Shannon, who became the 267th Hall of Famer, propelled by the three Super Bowl rings he won with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, went on to urge the Hall of Fame's selection committee to take up the case for his brother. "All I can do is ask in the most humblest way I know, is that the next time you go into that room or start making a list, look at Sterling Sharpe's accomplishments," he said. Well, 14 years later and 31 years since Sterling was forced to retire after seven superb NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers due to a neck injury, it has happened. Shannon and Sterling, who will become the 382nd enshrinee on Saturday, are the first set of brothers elected for busts in Canton. Maybe there will be more. The Kelces, Travis and Jason, will be in the mix someday. The Watts, J.J. and T.J., could have a shot if the younger brother keeps up his pace. And a few months ago, Eli Manning, Peyton's younger brother, was a Hall finalist in his first year of eligibility. Yet 25,000 men have played in the NFL since it was established in 1920 and it hasn't happened for a pair of brothers - until now. What are the odds? In the case of the Sharpe brothers, three years apart, their distinction is underscored by their remarkable journey from rural Georgia, where they were raised by late grandparents, Barney and Mary Porter, challenged by poverty. When I listened to the brothers on Shannon's "Club Shay Shay" podcast this week, reflecting on the conditions they endured growing up in a 1,000-square-foot cinder block home with cement floors and without running water, it added extra layers of appreciation for their achievements. Shannon, whose loquacious persona propelled him to become a media megastar after football, is hardly dropping hyperbole when he calls Sterling's Hall of Fame election the "proudest moment of my life." After all, Sterling - the hero and role model whose every word he hung on - once had the task of taking a young Shannon to the outhouse in the middle of the night. Shannon, who gave his big brother his first Super Bowl ring, certainly did his best in keeping his brother's candidacy alive. I've been a Hall selector for nearly 30 years and in recent years when I'd reach out to Shannon to get his take on one NFL topic after another, he would routinely end the exchange with a reminder about his brother's worthiness for a Hall call. The suggestions never came off as pushy, out of bounds or over the top and were nowhere in the ballpark of some of the campaigning for candidates that come our way as selectors. Instead, Shannon's efforts came off as authentic ... even as he preached to the choir about Sterling's case. That it wasn't automatic for Sterling - the first receiver to post 100 receptions in back-to-back seasons, an All-Decade choice for the 1990s with a "Triple Crown" milestone in 1992 - was a function of his injury-shortened career more than anything. It certainly helped Sterling's chances that Terrell Davis, Tony Boselli and Kenny Easley earned Hall status with their own injury-shortened careers, yet his case stood on its own merits. Sterling is part of a relatively small class that includes cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen (no relation to Eric) and tight end Antonio Gates, who has his own distinctive "first" with his honor. Gates is the only player chosen for the Hall of Fame who didn't play football in college, when he starred as a basketball player. Shannon, though, has one regret about this long-awaited moment for his brother that underscores the twists and turns of life. On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that ESPN won't be bringing Shannon back to the network for his role on the popular "First Take" show - dumping the former tight end who was suspended since April, when a former romantic partner filed a civil suit that alleged sexual assault and battery, seeking $50 million in damages. The suit was recently settled out of court. Talk about tough timing. Shannon's big brother finally gets his Hall call ... while news emerges about his personal setback. "They did what they feel they needed to do and I'm at peace with that," Shannon said on Wednesday night on "The Nightcap" podcast he hosts with former NFL receiver Chad Johnson. "But I just wish thing could have waited until Monday because I hate the fact that I'm overshadowing my brother." Then again, it's a different type of fate. The timing is another element of the moment. Shannon needs not sweat it. Not now. Generations from now, the legacy of the Sharpe brothers reflected with their busts in Canton will reflect their impact as two of the greatest players who ever played pro football. And given the journey that includes Sterling's extended wait, a lot of peace comes with that. Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@ or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell On Bluesky:


South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Helena Rowland: England's 97-7 victory over Spain just the start of the journey
The rampant Red Roses ran in 15 tries in Leicester as preparations for a tilt at global glory on home soil began in ruthless fashion. A dominant display at Welford Road was marred only by a second-half red card for stand-in captain Marlie Packer following an adjudged illegal clearout on Spain's sole try scorer Claudia Pena. Clinical finishing from @HelenaRowland99 to bring up the hat-trick 🏉🏉🏉#RedRoses — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 2, 2025 John Mitchell's side, who were back in action for the first time since completing a Six Nations grand slam in April, play away to France next weekend before beginning their World Cup campaign against the United States on Friday, August 22 in Sunderland. 'We've got a big few months coming up,' versatile back Rowland, who was making her first Test start on the wing, told BBC Sport. 'It's all about trying to live every moment. We've definitely tried to keep evolving our game. Hopefully it will come together. This is just the start of our journey and hopefully there's more to come.' Prop Sarah Bern claimed two of England's tries, while Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Jess Breach, Jade Shekells, Lilli Ives Campion, Emma Sing, May Campbell, Hannah Botterman, Abby Dow and Megan Jones also crossed for Test rugby's top-ranked nation. 'I don't score that many tries so to get three in a game is always nice,' added Rowland. 'We put in some pretty nice stuff there, glad to get it off the training park. 'There's still plenty of things to fix up, as we knew there always would be. It's the first game after quite a long time. It was enjoyable out there and we've got to focus on next week now.'


Reuters
8 hours ago
- Reuters
Antonio Gates' path to Canton is one of a kind
August 2 - It's hard to be the first of anything when it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But when tight end Antonio Gates was inducted on Saturday afternoon, he became the first Hall of Famer who didn't play college football. Gates certainly took the odd route to football stardom, but he was immortalized along with wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, defensive end Jared Allen, and cornerback Eric Allen at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Gates, 45, first made a name of himself by being a star college basketball player at Kent State, helping the team reach the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA Tournament and putting up even bigger numbers the following season. But NBA franchises weren't too fond of 6-foot-4 power forwards. Earlier in his college career, Gates was at Michigan State and hoping to play basketball for Tom Izzo and football for Nick Saban. But the latter coach wanted Gates to focus on football, which turned out to be a good deal for Kent State. When his college hoops career ended, NFL teams were interested in Gates as a tight end, and he eventually signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. "Tim Brewster, at the time, was the tight ends coach for the San Diego Chargers," Gates said during his speech. "Tim Brewster saw something in me. He would come and watch me play basketball, but he was confident I'd be an All-Pro tight end in three years." "Switching sports can be a life-changing experience," he continued. "The unexpected opportunities are often the most powerful ones, because they can completely redirect your life -- if you're ready to take advantage of the opportunity." The switch certainly paid off for Gates as he earned the first of eight straight Pro Bowl selections in his second season when he caught 13 touchdown passes. He had 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns in 236 games in 16 seasons (2003-18) with the Chargers -- the first 14 played in San Diego and the last two in Los Angeles. The 116 touchdown catches are the most by a tight end and rank seventh overall. Sharpe, whose career was ended by a serious neck injury at age 29, is the second football playing brother of his own family to earn induction. Younger brother Shannon Sharpe, a stellar tight end, was inducted in 2011. During his speech 14 years ago, Shannon Sharpe said he was only the second-best player in his family. So naturally, Sterling Sharpe asked his brother to join him at the podium on Saturday. "The last time I was here, you said you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say this, that you were the second-best player in your own family," Sterling Sharpe said, before cracking up the crowd with the finishing comment. "Well, I agree with that statement." Sterling Sharpe, now 60, entered the Hall in his 26th year of eligibility. Sharpe was a force for the Green Bay Packers from 1988-94, topping 1,100 receiving yards five times. He caught 18 touchdown passes in his final season and had 65 in 112 regular-season games to go with 595 catches and 8,134 yards. Jared Allen also took the hard route to the NFL. He played at small-college program Idaho State and was a terror at that level, winning the Buck Buchanan Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2003. That helped prompt the Kansas City Chiefs to select Allen in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Allen, 43, was a pass-rushing force and had 10 or more sacks on eight occasions during 12 NFL seasons with the Chiefs (2004-07), Minnesota Vikings (2008-13), Chicago Bears (2014-15) and Carolina Panthers (2015). He had a career-high 22 sacks in 2011 and finished his career with 136. "My definition of fear is a healthy fear of failure," Allen said. "It motivates you to do whatever you can to succeed. It's about getting knocked down, learning why it happened and working towards making sure it doesn't happen again." "The pursuit of greatness -- I had the NFL sack leaders taped up in my locker so I could see greatness every day I came in," he remarked. "Seeing that picture looking back at me meant that I never got complacent." Eric Allen finally received the call in his 19th year of eligibility. Allen, 59, played 14 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1988-94), New Orleans Saints (1995-97) and then-Oakland Raiders (1998-2001). Allen had 54 interceptions, returning eight for touchdowns. He set a then-NFL record with four interception returns for touchdowns in 1993 for the Eagles and later had three for the Raiders in 2000. The six-time Pro Bowler was often considered one of the best all-around defensive players in the entire NFL during his tenure with the Eagles. "Thank you to the legend, Buddy Ryan, for drafting me in 1988," Allen said of the late defensive-minded Philadelphia coach. "It was an honor to wear those Kelly Greens and represent the City of Brotherly Love. Whether it was Buddy's Boys or Bud Carson's Gang Green, we did so much damage on the football field." --Field Level Media