On the 31st of July Welsh superstar Louis Rees-Zammit announced his return to Rugby Union. The former Gloucester and Wales starlet had spent 18 months as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) with stints at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He never made a regular season appearance in the NFL but Rees-Zammit spent time on both teams practice squads.
When news broke of Rees-Zammit’s return to Rugby Union many started speculating where the former British and Irish Lions tourist may end up.
Speaking to Sky Sports News the Welsh international, who made 32 caps for his country stated: “I can’t name teams, but I’ve had a load of interest, which is unbelievable. I’m very grateful for that.”
With a plethora of clubs circling for his signature I have compiled a list of the top five most likely destinations for “Rees-Lightning”.
Gloucester Rugby
A return to Kingsholm seems the most likely outcome of this saga, with Rees-Zammit being brought up through The Cherry and Whites’ academy.
He was also fan favourite over his tenure in the West Country, the stars are seemingly aligning for a storied return.
Although Gloucester have bolstered their back three options over the offseason, the loss of Christian Wade has still not been replaced and who better to replace him than the man who was the face of Gloucester Rugby and Wales just 18 months ago.
Gloucester have added some promising talent for the future on the wings with the signing of Ben Redshaw from Newcastle Falcons and the promotions of Josh Hathaway and Jack Cotgreave from the academy but a return for Rees-Zammit maybe too illustrious to ignore for Director of Rugby George Skivington.
Bristol Bears
Gloucester’s rivals Bristol have been rumoured to be interested in signing the Welshman and this comes to no surprise.
The Bears are known for their fast paced fluid Rugby under Director of Rugby Pat Lam.
“Rees-Lightning” would slot in perfectly at Ashton Gate alongside Gabriel Ibitoye and Kalaveti Ravouvou and The Bears are the bookies favourite to land his signature.
Bristol only have three senior wingers at their disposal and with the team well under the salary cap Lam is in a good position to twist the arm of owner Steve Lansdown to bring out the chequebook for another marquee signing.
Newcastle Falcons
Red Bull has been announced as the new owners of Newcastle Falcons. The energy drink company paid £25 million to takeover the Falcons team and will be looking to make an impact with a blistering new signing.
With the team from the North East finishing bottom in the league the last two seasons a signing like this is just what the team needs to both excite fans and push The Geordies off of the bottom step of the Gallagher Premiership, especially with promotion and relegation being reintroduced.
Could we see Rees-Zammit following in fellow winger Jack Nowell’s footsteps as a Red Bull athlete?
Cardiff Rugby
Born in Penarth just five miles away from Cardiff, Rees-Zammit learnt his trade as part of the Cardiff Blues junior academy whilst in school.
The Blue and Blacks have recently been taken over by the WRU following the club falling into financial problems and with this takeover by the governing body of Welsh Rugby we could see the WRU make a heavy push to bring their golden boy back to the West side of the Severn bridge.
The current state of Welsh rugby is torrid and a star return by LRZ could be what the country needs to relight the fire in the heart of both players and supporters to right the wrongs in one of Rugby’s most successful and historic nations.
Racing 92
The Parisian side is known for splashing the cash for big names. Owen Farrell and Henry Arundell both swapped the Gallagher Premiership for the Top 14 after offers from Racing came in.
The Top14 is arguably the most competitive and highest quality domestic league in the world. This means Racing might have the edge financially to draw Rees-Zammit away from a return to the British Isles.
With countryman Will Rowlands already in Paris playing for Racing, it is plausible we could see Rees-Zammit swap Florida for France and continue his trade on the continent.
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