Louis Rees-Zammit is a Welsh rugby union player whose lightning pace, fearless attacking style and athleticism have made him one of the most exciting figures in modern Welsh sport.

Known as “Rees-Lightning” for his blistering speed, he burst onto the international scene as a teenager and quickly became a key figure for both Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

In 2024, he made global headlines by stepping away from rugby to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in American football — joining the NFL’s international pathway programme — before returning to rugby in 2025 with English Premiership side Bristol Bears.

Born in Cardiff in 2001 and raised in Penarth, Rees-Zammit came through the youth ranks at Cardiff Blues before joining Gloucester Rugby’s academy at 16. 

His rapid rise through the ranks was remarkable; by 18, he had become the youngest player ever to appear for Gloucester in the English Premiership.

His combination of raw pace, footwork, and composure made him one of European rugby’s most thrilling young talents. 

In the 2019–20 season, he became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Premiership, earning the league’s Player of the Month award and immediate calls for international selection.

Rees-Zammit made his Wales debut during the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup and soon became a mainstay of Wayne Pivac’s side. 

He starred in Wales’ 2021 Six Nations triumph, scoring tries against Ireland and Scotland and earning a reputation as one of world rugby’s most dangerous finishers.

That same year, he was selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa — an extraordinary achievement for a player still only 20 years old. 

Although he didn’t feature in the Test matches, his inclusion underlined his elite status and immense potential.

Over the following seasons, Rees-Zammit continued to develop as a complete back-three player, adding defensive awareness and positional intelligence to his natural attacking instincts. 

His try-scoring feats and crowd-pleasing performances made him one of the sport’s biggest young stars and one of Wales’ most marketable athletes.

In early 2024, however, Rees-Zammit shocked the rugby world when he announced he was leaving Gloucester and stepping away from rugby entirely to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.

He joined the NFL International Player Pathway Programme in Florida, later signing training contracts with both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Though he never featured in an NFL regular-season game, his dedication to mastering a completely new sport and culture earned widespread admiration across both sides of the Atlantic.

Rees-Zammit described the experience as “incredible” and said it gave him new perspective on elite performance, training intensity, and the global appeal of sport. 

His time in the US exposed him to the highest level of athletic discipline — but after a number of setbacks and injuries he opted to harness his new skills with a return to rugby union.

That return came in mid-2025 when he signed a season-long deal with Bristol Bears, joining a team renowned for its attacking philosophy. 

Despite suffering a minor foot injury early in his comeback, his arrival reignited excitement about what his next chapter could bring — both for Bristol and for Wales, where his recall to the national squad for the autumn internationals looks almost certain.

At international level, Rees-Zammit has already represented Wales more than 30 times, scoring a string of memorable tries.
 
Beyond his athletic brilliance, Rees-Zammit has become a symbol of modern Welsh ambition — confident, adventurous, and unafraid to take risks in pursuit of greatness. 

His bold leap into American football captured the imagination of fans worldwide and highlighted his fearless approach to sport and life.

Off the field, Rees-Zammit remains grounded and popular, often engaging with fans on social media and supporting youth rugby initiatives across Wales and the West Country.

Still only in his mid-twenties, his best years are very much ahead of him. 

Having tested himself in two of the world’s most demanding sports, Louis Rees-Zammit returns to rugby as a more complete athlete and a more mature competitor — ready to reclaim his place among the game’s elite.

With his speed, charisma and global profile, he is already one of the most recognisable faces in Welsh sport — and his story, from Cardiff schoolboy to international rugby star and NFL trailblazer, is far from finished.