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Time of India
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Who is Louis Rees-Zammit, the footballer who is ditching NFL for rugby?
Louis Rees-Zammit is a Welsh athlete whose professional career has spanned two major sports: rugby union and American football . He rose to prominence in rugby between 2018 and 2023, earning accolades as a dynamic winger for Wales. His international highlights include an Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia in 2020, a trio of Six Nations victories in 2021, and strong performances in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with wins against Fiji, Portugal, and Georgia. In January 2024, Rees-Zammit made headlines by switching to American football, joining the Kansas City Chiefs as a running back. Although he appeared in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars , he didn't make the final squad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Immediately Do Something if You See These Bugs In Cochabamba Undo Released in August 2024, he joined the Jaguars' practice squad as a wide receiver but was not retained after the season. In February 2025, Jacksonville offered him a spot on their 90-man roster, but by April he returned to the practice squad. A lower back injury during training camp in July hampered his progress, and on July 31, he announced his return to rugby via Instagram. Sharing a rugby photo with fans, Rees-Zammit wrote: "I've got an exciting announcement to make! I've decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby! It's been a great experience, but it's time to come home... There's only one thing on my mind – coming back to rugby and doing what I do best." Live Events Speaking to Sky Sports on August 1, he reflected: 'The competition is so high... It's something that I really wanted to do. It was my dream. I've given it a good go, maybe it hasn't worked out. So, you know, it's the perfect time now.' Many have applauded his journey. One fan commented, "Fair play! You gave it a shot and now you can carry on playing at the highest level of rugby." Another said, "NFL's loss is rugby's gain. Welcome home." Rees-Zammit's transatlantic sporting journey may not have ended in an NFL career, but it earned him admiration for his ambition—and set the stage for a highly anticipated rugby comeback.
Irish Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
O'Connell praises makeshift Ireland team after Georgia win: 'I'm very happy'
Paul O'Connell has lauded the performance of his makeshift Ireland team as they clinched an impressive 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi. With Head Coach Andy Farrell and many first-choice players absent due to British and Irish Lions duties, interim coach O'Connell witnessed his young charges demonstrate their robustness with a confident display on a drenched pitch. Tommy O'Brien, making his debut, dashed across the try line twice in the initial stages before stand-in captain Craig Casey nabbed a try early in the second half, with Nick Timoney sealing the deal towards the game's end. Reflecting on the match, O'Connell said: "Very important game. A lot of players away with the Lions and we've got a load of guys who are just dying for an opportunity. "And you wonder how they will take that opportunity, particularly (because) some of them hadn't played games in a little while, so I'm very happy with how they went about their business. "They had a load of intent with what they did and they were really accurate with that intent." During their first clash with Georgia since the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, Ireland didn't take long to take the lead under the rain, scoring within the first two minutes. The debutant O'Brien was quick off the mark with his first international try, seizing onto Sam Prendergast's kick to score near the posts. After Prendergast nailed the conversion, Ireland quickly followed up with a second try in just the eighth minute. In a superb display, Prendergast lobbed the ball which allowed O'Brien to make a crossing in the right corner. Georgia gave it their all and, as the first half was drawing to a close, they managed to slice through the Irish guard, with Tornike Jalagonia touching down in the corner. Ending the initial 40 minutes on a sour note was a blip in an otherwise strong performance under O'Connell's guidance, yet Casey, taking charge as interim captain, made amends swiftly after the interval. Mere moments into the second half, Casey celebrated his inaugural game as skipper by diving over the line following a nifty one-two with teammate Ryan Baird. Prendergast added the conversion which was soon followed by two successful penalty kicks. The match also witnessed Test debuts being handed to Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy. It was Timoney who had the last word thanks to his skilful late try, handing captain Casey a victory to start his leadership. Casey remarked: "Yeah obviously very happy. A bit wetter than we expected during the week. We had to adapt our game a bit and I thought we managed the game really well. "Our forwards were top-class, so we have to owe it to them. The feeling in the group is awesome, it's a great start to the summer tour. "There are a few lads making their first caps and we wanted to make it special for them and their families. Thankfully we did that."
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
France to host Ireland in 2026 Six Nations opener
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Scotland - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - October 31, 2020 General view outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Nations Cup - Wales v England - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - November 28, 2020 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo France to host Ireland in 2026 Six Nations opener Six Nations champions France will host Ireland in the opening fixture of the 2026 edition in February, organisers said on Monday. The competition, featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, will be played from February 5 to March 14. The final round will be a 'Super Saturday' on March 14 with Ireland hosting Scotland, Italy meeting Wales and France welcoming England. France claimed their seventh Six Nations trophy with a record-breaking 35-16 victory over Scotland in March, clinching the title for the first time since 2022. England, who finished second this year, will host Wales in the first round and will meet rivals Scotland in round two. France host Italy in the third round of action. Round four, the penultimate weekend, will have Ireland hosting Wales, England meeting Italy and Scotland locking horns with France. FIXTURES (all times in GMT) ROUND 1 Thursday February 5: France v Ireland (2010) Saturday 7 February: Italy v Scotland (1410) England v Wales (1640) ROUND 2 Saturday 14 February: Ireland v Italy (1410) Scotland v England (1640) Sunday 15 February: Wales v France (1510) ROUND 3 Saturday 21 February: England v Ireland (1410) Wales v Scotland (1640) Sunday 22 February: France v Italy (1510) ROUND 4 Friday 6 March: Ireland v Wales (2010) Saturday 7 March: Scotland v France (14:10) Italy v England (1640) ROUND 5 Saturday 14 March: Ireland v Scotland (1410) Wales v Italy (1640) France v England (2010) REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-France to host Ireland in 2026 Six Nations opener
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Nations Cup - Wales v England - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - November 28, 2020 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo (Reuters) -Six Nations champions France will host Ireland in the opening fixture of the 2026 edition in February, organisers said on Monday. The competition, featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, will be played from February 5 to March 14. The final round will be a 'Super Saturday' on March 14 with Ireland hosting Scotland, Italy meeting Wales and France welcoming England. France claimed their seventh Six Nations trophy with a record-breaking 35-16 victory over Scotland in March, clinching the title for the first time since 2022. England, who finished second this year, will host Wales in the first round and will meet rivals Scotland in round two. France host Italy in the third round of action. Round four, the penultimate weekend, will have Ireland hosting Wales, England meeting Italy and Scotland locking horns with France. FIXTURES (all times in GMT) ROUND 1 Thursday February 5: France v Ireland (2010) Saturday 7 February: Italy v Scotland (1410) England v Wales (1640) ROUND 2 Saturday 14 February: Ireland v Italy (1410) Scotland v England (1640) Sunday 15 February: Wales v France (1510) ROUND 3 Saturday 21 February: England v Ireland (1410) Wales v Scotland (1640) Sunday 22 February: France v Italy (1510) ROUND 4 Friday 6 March: Ireland v Wales (2010) Saturday 7 March: Scotland v France (14:10) Italy v England (1640) ROUND 5 Saturday 14 March: Ireland v Scotland (1410) Wales v Italy (1640) France v England (2010) (Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nigel Owens comes out of retirement to take charge of first rugby match in four years
Nigel Owens comes out of retirement to take charge of first rugby match in four years The Welsh referee will be in the middle once again on Saturday after years away from the sport Referee Nigel Owens (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Legendary Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens is coming out of retirement to take charge of a match for the first time in four years, he has announced. Owens, who was widely regarded as the best referee in the game during his career, will pick up his whistle for a special 150th anniversary match between Lampeter Town RFC and London Welsh on Saturday. He said in a post on social media: "BREAKING NEWS: I'm back. After 4 years I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. Hope the legs will last the 80 mins." Owens last match as an international referee was the Autumn Nations Cup game between France and Italy in November, 2020. It was also his 100th game as a Test referee. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Since retiring he has held roles as a World Rugby expert and also works for the WRU as a mentor to referees coming through the system. He was added to Warren Gatland's coaching staff during last year's autumn internationals but did not continue with the role following that campaign. Owens time these days is largely spent working on his farm in west Wales, where he lives with husband Barrie. WalesOnline columnist Owens wrote of his new career: "Retiring from something is always a big adjustment but what was helping me deal with all of it coming to an end after 35 years of refereeing was knowing that I had another interest to pursue in my retirement - and that was farming. Article continues below "Since eight years of age, my goal was to be a farmer and I saved up over the years to achieve it, buying a smallholding with my partner Barrie. "It had been such a dream for me that when the tournament was over in Japan, I couldn't wait to get back home and start the next chapter of my life. "I'm so grateful to have had something like that to focus myself on. If I had nothing else to look forward to after finishing refereeing and it had all just ended overnight, I probably would have struggled like a lot of referees have done when their careers have ended. "As I say, it's a huge adjustment and in every sport, there are players, coaches and officials who have struggled with their mental health when they retire." Owens refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final as well as several European club finals during a glittering career that included numerous memorable moments. The 53-year-old has also used his platform to help many people struggling with mental health issues and facing prejudice. In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday, revealing he had attempted suicide at the age of 26 as he struggled to cope. Article continues below As well as farming and his continuing rugby roles, Owens is also a co-presenter of popular S4C show Jonathan with Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies and Sarra Elgan. His rugby return will take place at 2pm on Saturday. Lampeter Town RFC have already celebrated their 150th year in style by winning Admiral National League Two West and earning promotion to League One for next season.
