Wales’ Rees-Zammit inspired by Man Utd turnaround

Louis Rees-Zammit is confident of a turnaround in fortunes for Wales after being buoyed by the revival of his beloved Manchester United.

The 25-year-old will line up at full-back against Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday (16:40 GMT) as Wales hunt a first win in the Six Nations since March 2023.

Wales have endured a run of 13 straight defeats in the tournament and face a battle to avoid a third successive wooden spoon.

But Manchester United fan Rees-Zammit takes inspiration from his football team, who have enjoyed a resurgence under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils have taken 13 points from five matches and beaten title hopefuls Manchester City and Arsenal.

“I’m loving it,” said Rees-Zammit. “Carrick has come in and somehow the players have decided to play proper football again.

Wales face a tougher test to enjoy such a marked improvement after winning just two of their past 24 fixtures, both against Japan.

Scotland travel to Principality Stadium buoyed by a win against England and determined to set up a Murrayfield title showdown with France.

Steve Tandy’s side have suffered heavy defeats to the English and French but Rees-Zammit insists confidence has not been hit.

“We’ve got to keep the mood high,” he said. “Obviously, it’s been two tough weeks, but the second you put your head down, it crumbles.

Rees-Zammit returned to rugby after an attempt to crack the NFL last summer and has started five of Tandy’s six games in charge, the exception being the South Africa fixture when he was unavailable.

The full-back has enjoyed success with Bristol – who are third in the Prem and in the last 16 of the Champions Cup – but only one last-gasp win against Japan on the international stage.

Rees-Zammit won 17 of his first 32 international games before moving to America but has returned to a different Wales team.

“No regrets,” he said. “It was an amazing experience over there but I missed playing rugby and playing for my country.

“I love being back in camp and around the boys again, getting stuck back into a Six Nations.

“It’s obviously been a tough couple of years for Welsh rugby, but we’re trying to do everything we can to get fans off their chairs and play exciting rugby.

“Obviously, it doesn’t happen overnight but we’re working really hard behind the scenes to make that work. It will come.”