By Gareth James
Louis Rees-Zammit comes of age on Wednesday and will be looking to celebrate his 21st birthday in style at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The Wales wonder-wing warmed-up for his side’s opening game in the defence of their Six Nations title by scoring a sensational try for his club, Gloucester, at Newcastle Falcons last weekend.
It was a score that garnered thousands of views on social media and proved to his fellow British & Irish Lions wing Josh Adams that he is ready to add to the four championship tries he scored in his debut season on the Six Nations stage last year.
“Wow! It was a hell of a finish for the try for Gloucester at the weekend and it just sums him up. One absolute moment of magic and he can carve you up like that,” said Adams.
“There are aspects of all of our games that we can get better at, but he has all the raw credentials of speed, power and finishing ability. I haven’t seen anybody as good.
“He has been terrific ever since he came in. It was a learning curve in his first campaign but he has worked hard and that is very noticeable now with the way he plays.
Only on the pitch for five minutes and Louis Rees-Zammit takes it from his own 22 all the way for another sensational try 🤯
The @gloucesterrugby man is different gravy!#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/xfyH8sdfWB
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 29, 2022
“He is very good both sides of the ball and he is a massive weapon for us.”
With an all Lions back three of Liam Williams, Adams and Rees-Zammit, Wales will have as sharp a cutting edge as any team in the championship – if they can get enough ball.
Adams is also being considered as a centre, although the likelihood is that the experienced Jonathan Davies will start in the midfield to earn himself a century of caps for Wales and the Lions.
Willis Halaholo picked up a hamstring strain in training, although is expected to be fit for consideration.
Adams played at centre for Cardiff against Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup recently as is willing to give it a go on an even bigger stage.
“As long as I get to wear that red shirt, I am happy to play anywhere. If that’s where the coaches think I’m best suited for the team, that will be an exciting challenge for me,” said Adams.
How good is this from @Cardiff_Rugby?!
Without a staggering 42 players as they welcome the reigning European champions Toulouse, but they are not backing down!
Josh Adams gets the first try of the game 👊#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/nv86CzTTJW
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 11, 2021
Backs coach Stephen Jones gave a strong hint that Ross Moriarty’s 60 minutes of action for the Dragons against Benetton Rugby last weekend, his first game since October, was more than enough to earn him a start in Dublin, probably at No 8.
“It was brilliant Ross got some game time and went well. He’s such a strong character and he loves the physical side of the game,” said Jones.
“We know it’s going to be physical on Saturday and Ross is excellent in our group. He’s healthy, he’s available for selection and that’s great for us.”
