Louis Rees-Zammit has no regrets after fulfilling NFL ‘dream’ ahead of Wales' Quilter Nations Series clash v New Zealand - 'That's my journey'
By James Hilsum
Updated 21/11/2025 at 22:50 GMT
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Louis Rees-Zammit is one of the sport's most talked about players after returning to rugby following an 18-month spell in the NFL. After tirelessly trying to make the grade, the Welshman returned to UK shores and picked up where he left off. His next assignment is a mouth-watering clash against New Zealand in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
‘Just being fast doesn’t cut it’ - Rees-Zammit on NFL learnings and ‘need to adapt’ to hit potential
Video credit: TNT Sports
Louis Rees-Zammit insists he has no regrets about making the switch to the NFL heading into Wales’ Quilter Nations Series clash with New Zealand on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been named in the line-up to face the All Blacks – in a game that will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - with Wales looking to build on last week’s pulsating 24-23 win over Japan.
Rees-Zammit scored his first try after making the return to rugby in that match, and he has reflected candidly on that brief spell in the NFL.
He secured contracts with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but ultimately failed to make a competitive NFL appearance.
"I learnt so much about myself," Rees-Zammit told TNT Sports. "In rugby, I was on such a high, played for Gloucester at a pretty young age, as well for my country and the Lions.
"Everything was going upwards without many dips. Then you go over to a different sport that you're completely new at.
"That in itself is tough, but I wouldn't say I had any regrets in going over there and doing it, because I absolutely loved it.
"I loved rugby and went to the NFL, and it was a dream of mine. So, I don't mind talking about it at all.
"That's my journey, there's going to be highs and lows, it's just about trying to have as many highs as possible."
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'Wales will take anything right now' - Rees-Zammit scores his first try since his Wales return
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rees-Zammit will not leave any stone unturned in pursuit of those high moments, and is continually analysing his own game for potential improvements.
He admitted to watching others for a blueprint to follow, as he seeks to become one of the world’s best players.
"Just being fast probably doesn't cut it to be a world-class player," he explained.
"You need to be strong, powerful, very physical. I need to adapt what is going to make me into a world-class player, and that's learning from previous players, current players, the best players in the world - what have they got that I haven't? Now I'm back in rugby, I can now do that."
The Bristol Bears winger also previously spoke about how he developed that physical side of the game during his brief time in the United States.
"Before I left, I thought my physicality wasn't up there because I was getting away with just being fast and trying to run around people," he said.
"Ultimately, that doesn't always work, but it was just more about being more aggressive. Now I’m running through contact, and I'm a lot more explosive."
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When speaking specifically about how the preparation differed between the two sports, he added: "The days were definitely longer, purely because of how much analysis you've got to do.
"It's such a mental game that you've got to run through over 100 of your own plays, whether it'll change, and how you can adapt within the training sessions. It was very confusing.
"I’ve been playing rugby from age seven, like they were doing that from a similar age, so it was like me trying to play catch up with some of the best athletes in the world. I'm then going in there with no experience trying to compete with them."
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Wales v Japan highlights: Last-gasp Evans score secures huge win
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch the Quilter Nations Series
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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