The lightning fast winger has announced his return to rugby after failing to break into the NFLLouis Rees-Zammit in action in pre-season for the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Bristol Bears are understood to be in prime position to try and sign former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit who announced in the early hours of last night that he is returning to rugby after spending 18 months in the NFL.

Rees-Zammit left Gallagher PREM side Gloucester midway through the 2023/24 season to pursue his NFL dream but has struggled to transfer his natural talents to the new sport. Rees-Zammit signed an active roster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 season after being part of their practice squad for the 2024 season and travelled to London for the games against the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots in October without featuring in a game.

The 24-year-old made 32 appearances for Wales before announcing in January 2024 that he would retire from rugby union in order to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL via its International Player Pathway Program. But Rees-Zammit said in a post on Instagram: “I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby!

“It’s been a great experience, but it’s time to come home. I’ve decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season.

“There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am!!

“There’ll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans.”

Rees-Zammit is understood to not have a new club yet, but Bristol are keen to talk to him having seen wingers Siva Naulago and Deago Bailey leave the club in June without signing a replacement, leaving director of rugby Pat Lam with just three senior wingers in Gabriel Ibitoye, Jack Bates and Kalaveti Ravouvou – the latter of whom has played much of his rugby for the club at centre.

The Bears were looking to lean on their senior academy players if needed, with much hoped of 19-year-old Welshman Aidan Boshoff, but Bristol’s slimmed down squad is flying well below the league’s salary cap, with owner Steve Lansdown tightening the purse strings, but his track record has proven he is willing to spend big on the right player, potentially allowing Lam room to bring in the Welsh star.

The news of Rees-Zammit’s return to rugby is also a significant boost to recently-appointed Wales head coach Steve Tandy, who takes over a side that only ended an 18-match losing streak that lasted almost two years with a hard-fought win over Japan last month.