Rugby-Wales wing Rees-Zammit quits rugby to play American Football

Louis Rees-Zammit quit Wales' Six Nations Championship squad an hour before it was announced on Tuesday to pursue a career in American Football, a shock for coach Warren Gatland as he named a young squad featuring five uncapped players. Rees-Zammit, 22, will join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) and turn his back on rugby, a massive blow to Gatland to lose a versatile player who would likely have been a key figure for the next decade.

Louis Rees-Zammit quit Wales' Six Nations Championship squad an hour before it was announced on Tuesday to pursue a career in American Football, a shock for coach Warren Gatland as he named a young squad featuring five uncapped players.

Rees-Zammit, 22, will join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) and turn his back on rugby, a massive blow to Gatland to lose a versatile player who would likely have been a key figure for the next decade. "I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I've never taken for granted," Rees-Zammit said in a statement.

"However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realise another professional goal of playing American football in the US. Those opportunities don't come around very often." Gatland admitted he was blindsided by the news.

"I learned it about an hour ago. Spoke to Louis about half an hour ago. It's a little bit of a shock," he told reporters. "Louis said he had an approach on Sunday. It's something he's always dreamed of. The paperwork has been agreed and signed and Gloucester have agreed to release him. "He rang me to give me that information, thank me for his time at the World Cup. He feels if he doesn't take that opportunity now, it might not come up. I wished him all the best. I asked him what are his next steps if it doesn't work out, he said he'd come back."

Lock Dafydd Jenkins, 21, will become the second youngest player, after Gareth Edwards at 20 in 1968, to captain Wales when he leads them in the Six Nations. Back rows Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin, hooker Evan Lloyd, tighthead prop Archie Griffin and full-back Cameron Winnett are the players who could make their international debuts in the tournament.

But there is no sign of Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who has been courted by Gatland but is expected to be announced in England's squad on Wednesday. There are also recalls for centre Owen Watkin and back row James Botham, with co-captain at last year's Rugby World Cup in France, Jac Morgan, expected to miss the entire tournament through injury.

There is also no place for Taulupe Faletau, who has not played since he broke his arm at the World Cup, in a squad that has an average age of 25. "There's a little bit of experience in terms of players like George North and Gareth Davies – we wanted a little bit of continuity with that and we're also thinking about the next World Cup cycle and giving some youngsters an opportunity, some youngsters that are not featuring regularly for their club sides," Gatland said.

Wales start their campaign at home to Scotland on Feb. 3. Wales squad:

Forwards (19): Corey Domachowski, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Leon Brown, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Teddy Williams, Taine Basham, James Botham, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright Backs (15): Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Cai Evans, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady, George North, Joe Roberts, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.

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