Sawt Falasteen - Rees-Zammit back in Wales 'happy place' after Test return

Rees-Zammit made his first Wales appearance since the 2023 World Cup when coming on as a second-half replacement during the 52-28 defeat by Argentina in Cardiff on Sunday.

The 24-year-old British and Irish Lions back later described playing at the Principality Stadium as "my happy place".

Rees-Zammit had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, although he did not play a competitive game in the NFL before returning to rugby union with English Prem side Bristol in August.

"It's a lot different out in America," Rees-Zamitt said told reporters before Wales' Autumn Nations Series clash with Japan on Saturday.

"Those stars are global. They push their sport through their players. It's something in rugby that isn't done as much.

"Maybe that's just because the game isn't as global as American football. The NFL is based in America, but the stars and the personalities are worldwide.

"It's just about how we grow the game of rugby. Whether that's the sport itself or getting stars within it to grow it. That's one of the main reasons I play the game, to try and inspire others to play the game and entertain fans.

"Rugby is such a special sport. The better I can play and get fans off their seats, the better it will be."

Rees-Zammit is widely regarded as one of the quickest players in rugby and recorded a peak speed of 24.2 miles per hour (38.9km/h) during a Wales-Fiji Test match in 2021.

He has clocked 10.44 seconds over 100 metres and scored 61 tries in 117 appearances for Gloucester, Bristol, Wales and the Lions.

"I'm heavier, more built upper-body. I'm quicker and, terms of my weight, I'm now just over 100kg (220 pounds)," Rees-Zammit said when asked about his personal statistics compared to his pre-NFL career.

"I'm feeling good and fast at that weight. I'm definitely heavier, faster and more explosive. A lot more physical," he added.

Reflecting on his return to Test rugby, he said: "I previously won 32 caps for my country and it felt really good to get another cap in front of all our fans. Probably made it that extra special to be honest, being away for two years. It felt like a long time, but also felt like I left yesterday.

"When I got to put that jersey on and came on... I grew up in Cardiff, just 10 minutes away from the stadium. That why I said it's my happy place."

E.Qaddoumi--SF-PST