Rees-Zammit ‘positive’ about Wales return

Louis Rees-Zammit, a Wales wing, is hoping to recover from their opening autumn game against Argentina on Sunday, November 9.

After making the transition to American football in January 2024, the back of the British and Irish Lions hasn’t played international rugby for more than two years.

Rees-Zammit was named in Steve Tandy’s first Wales squad despite suffering a toe injury in early October after signing a season-long deal with Bristol in August of that year.

In front of 6, 000 spectators at an open session at the Principality Stadium today, the 24-year-old trained separately with fellow wing Rio Dyer and Ospreys lock Rhys Davies.

Rees-Zammit addressed the Principality Stadium crowd, “My foot is feeling good.”

Rees-Zammit didn’t play a competitive game for the NFL, instead joining the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rees-Zammit praised the return of rugby as “it feels amazing.”

“I tried it out, and I’m glad I’m back,” he said. The new coaching staff is fantastic, and it’s great to see all the boys once more.

The boys are all enjoying it, and we are prepared to rip in.

“It feels strange that I’ve been working in this field for 18 months.” It means a lot to our fans, so it’s great to see how many do so.

While the main squad held a full public meeting, Rees-Zammit, Dyer, and Davies went through a number of running drills behind the Principality Stadium posts.

Due to World Rugby rules, Montpellier lock Adam Beard had to return to his French team in order to participate in the Wales training camp in Cardiff.

Since they haven’t won an international game there for more than two years, Wales are hoping to reclaim Principality Stadium as a fortress.

Wales have lost nine Test matches in Cardiff since beating England in a World Cup warm-up match in August 2023, with Japan’s record 18-game losing streak coming to an end in July.

Before hosting a 2026 Six Nations game against France, Scotland, and Italy, where Wales previously won a home match in February 2022, they will face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan.

The boys have enjoyed winning in Cardiff for a while, according to captain Jac Morgan, but they “love playing in front of our own supporters.”

Given the current unrest surrounding the Welsh game, how many fans will there be watching the team in the fall?

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is currently gearing up to cut a men’s professional side after a few years of mixed results on the field and in disarray off the pitch.

The four matches at Principality Stadium could draw in 298 000 fans in November due to the capacity of the Principality Stadium of 74, 500.

More than 200, 000 supporters are expected to travel to Cardiff over the four-game series, according to a WRU statement. This is in line with the Quilter Nations Series’ goal of achieving average attendance over the previous ten years.

“Fans are anticipating Wales’ home-court action against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

All times are GMT and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Sunday, 9 November – Wales v Argentina (15: 10)

Saturday, 15 November – Wales v Japan (17: 40)

Saturday, 22 November – Wales v New Zealand (15: 10)

*Saturday, 29 November – Wales v South Africa (15: 10)