Such is the impact Louis Rees-Zammit has made on the world stage since making his Wales debut less than three years ago, it’s pretty easy to forget he remains in the formative years of his Test career (and was born this century).
His rise on the world stage was triggered by scintillating form and try-scoring prowess for English Premiership side Gloucester, for whom he made his league debut aged 18. First called up to Wayne Pivac’s 2020 Six Nations squad, he made his Wales debut against France that autumn in October 2020 and the following summer became the youngest Lions call-up at 20 years and 93 days old.
All being well, the 22-year-old wing wonder will head to his maiden World Cup this autumn — and the scary thing is he believes he’s at his fittest and has so much more to give.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this fit in my life so I am definitely feeling the benefits [of training camps] and I am pretty sure the boys are as well,” Rees-Zammit says, on the penultimate day of Wales’ training camp in Turkey, where temperatures have risen above 50°C during the squad’s stay. They also spent two weeks in Switzerland earlier this month doing high-altitude training.
“They have been pretty brutal, to be honest with you. It’s the hardest thing I have ever done – physically and mentally, probably. It is just so intense, especially in this heat, it really helps your body – more with the fitness aspect.
“These past two camps have been absolutely brutal on everyone’s bodies and I think we’ll reap the benefits going back home to normal weather and playing a Test match. Everybody is going to feel properly fit. We’re going to be prepared.”
Banishing injury worries from the past season, Rees-Zammit declares he is “fully fit” and raring to go, even spending a week at a fitness camp in Atlanta, Georgia, before linking up with Wales at their Vale mini-camps.
“It has been a while since I have played, I have had a few injuries so I haven’t played for a while. I went to America for a week and did some speed training there. I did some in Wales as well with the mini camps. I’m feeling pretty fast, to be honest with you. My body feels as sharp as ever. Hopefully I can showcase that when I play.”
Rees-Zammit is hoping to showcase what Wales rugby fans are used to seeing from him when he returns to the field, perhaps against England this Saturday, August 5, in Cardiff. But he wants to give a lot more than what we’re already used to.
“I don’t think you’ve seen the best of me. You’ve probably only seen a little bit. I’ve got a lot more to give. Now I’m fit, I feel the best I’ve ever felt. I’m really looking forward to these games coming up and showing what I can do.”
If Josh Adams – the 2019 Rugby World Cup’s top try-scorer – is nailed on to start on one Wales wing, Rees-Zammit says the other will go to “whoever fights for it, I guess”. While an accolade such as the one Adams earned in 2019 would be a “dream”, the man nicknamed Rees-Lightning adds: “I’ve got to take it one game at a time, though. I’ve got to help the team however I can, whether that’s scoring or setting up plays or on the defensive side of the ball.”
Wales take on England in their opening game of the Rugby Summer Series. Fans can watch the game free by signing up to an Amazon Prime subscription here.
Rees-Zammit has been training at both wing and full-back this summer to increase his versatility, and says he will fill in wherever needed.
“I want to add more strings to my bow and if that means playing 15 as well then I’m ready for it. I’d say my kicking game is pretty strong but obviously I do love running with the ball. Being a threat on the counter attack is also there.
“In Test rugby there are a lot of kicks and you’ve got to be ready. You’ve got to be in the right position at the right time. That’s a lot different to being on the wing but in attack you get more of a licence to go and look for the ball and get more touches. We do have a licence and freedom on the wing as well but stepping up as a first receiver from full-back, I quite enjoy. I’d say I get my hands on the ball more at 15.
“I do like playing at 15 and it’s an option. Wherever I play I’ll try my hardest.”
Rees-Zammit wants to solidify this World Cup dream, sparked by watching World Cup moments at Llandaff RFC, but he’s taking nothing for granted.
“As a young Welsh kid growing up in Wales and seeing Wales go to a World Cup, that’s your dream.
“[Rugby] is the main sport and growing up you see players like [Leigh] Halfpenny who have been to however many World Cups.
“I’ve got loads of memories watching at the club (Llandaff). I was at Hartpury College cheering the boys on in the last World Cup. I remember watching the last World Cup with my Hartpury team-mates. I think I was 17 at the time. Watching on I never thought I’d be in contention at all but I’m here now and I’ve got to put my best foot forward.
“Everything has come so quick and I’ve tried riding the wave in a sense. I absolutely love it here. I love rugby and playing for Gloucester and Wales and obviously I got on the Lions tour as well which was unbelievable.
“This (World Cup) is the next step and I haven’t been to one yet. It would be an absolute dream come true if I did get named in that squad.”
