Louis Rees-Zammit is back with a bang, scoring a wonderful try which showcased his electric paceLouis Rees-Zammit was in his own half when he grabbed possession (Image: TNT )

Louis Rees-Zammit scored a sensational solo try from deep inside his own half to fire Bristol Bears to a 42-24 victory over Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate.

This was the 24-year-old’s first Gallagher Prem game since returning to rugby union after an 18-month stint trying his hand at American football and provided a reminder of just how deadly a finisher he is. The Wales wing had a quiet game up to this point, apart from a couple of half breaks.

But in the 80th minute he received the ball out on the wing deep inside his own half and proceeded to beat his opposite number Ollie Hassell-Collins on the outside to put the icing on the cake for Bristol.

“Wheels!” exclaimed former England international and TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

“That is wheels, Ally!

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“Hassell-Collins is 20 metres ahead of him on the angle and he burns him.

“That is proper gas!

“I loved seeing that. As soon as he got the ball – try.”

Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton, who was also on commentary duty for TNT Sport, was equally as impressed.

“I think some people’s concerns might have been how does Rees-Zammit fared beyond 60 minutes because he hasn’t played a game which needs repeated efforts,” he said. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free

“But to do that on the 80th minute I think anyone who might have doubted some of his condition from an endurance perspective, he’s answered all of those critics.

“To run that fast that late in the game is special.”

Healey wasn’t finished with praising Rees-Zammit who will surely be in Steve Tandy’s first Wales squad this November.

“If you like running, that is balanced,” said Healey.

“That is poetry when you see him moving like that.” Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.

Rees-Zammit’s try sealed a hard-fought bonus point victory for the Bears whose tries also came from Fitz Harding, Gabriel Ibitoye, Gabriel Oghre and Welshman Josh Carrington.