The latest rugby news from Wales and around the worldRees-Zammit is set to stay at full-back under Pat Lam’s plans(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

These are your latest rugby headlines on Sunday, December 28.

Rees-Zammit set to stay in new position

Louis Rees-Zammit looks set to be kept at full-back for the Bristol Bears as director of rugby Pat Lam laid out his plan for the Wales international.

The 24-year-old was handed the number 15 jersey for the second successive game on Saturday, as he helped his side to a 36-27 comeback victory against Newcastle Red Bulls. An attacking threat throughout the encounter at Ashton Gate, he scored two tries either side of half-time and set up another for centre Matías Moroni.

Prior to last week’s clash with Harlequins at Twickenham, Rees-Zammit had only played full-back on occasion for Gloucester and Wales, having predominantly played on the wing during his career.

But having impressed in his new position, he now looks set to stay there with Lam admitting that he always intended to deploy the Welshman at full-back after he returned to rugby from the NFL.

“Louis has the ability to be a world-class full-back,” he said after Saturday’s victory. “I know a lot of people see him as a wing but it was always my intention to 100 per cent play him as a full-back. It suits our style completely.”

The development will be of interest to Wales head coach Steve Tandy as he continues his preparations for the Six Nations, which kicks off in less than six weeks’ time.

Moving Rees-Zammit to full-back for the national team has previously been suggested by former Wales international Alex Cuthbert, who told WalesOnline ahead of the autumn internationals that he could switch with Scarlets star Blair Murray, who has started the last six Tests with the 15 jersey.

“Rees-Zammit is out-and-out gas, but he looks like he has bulked up a bit,” he said. “I wouldn’t be afraid to play him at full-back sometimes, with Blair Murray on the wing.”

‘Special’ Wales star will ‘skyrocket’ team

Saracens star Jamie George says the signing of “special” Tomos Williams will “skyrocket” his side after coming up against him and Gloucester in the Gallagher PREM on Saturday.

George’s side came out on top as 21-30 winners in what was an entertaining clash at Kingsholm, but not until after Williams pulled off one of the moments of the weekend as an audacious piece of individual skill saw him assist second-row Arthur Clark and send him across the line in style.

The scrum-half, whose move to north London was officially confirmed on Christmas Day, showed his new employers just what they are getting next season with another impressive performance, and George admitted he was already excited to team up with his fellow British & Irish Lions tourist again.

“I’m very happy that he’s signed,” said the Saracens hooker. “I knew about it potentially a little bit before [it was confirmed]. He’s a brilliant signing, he’s a brilliant guy.

“We saw his quality today, so I’m really excited about that. Honestly, he’s a world-class No. 9, and I worked with him a little bit in the summer [on the Lions tour].

“He’s one guy where you stood back and thought, ‘Wow, this guy’s special’.

“Then, obviously, you hear the early conversations that are happening with the club, and that could skyrocket us, given that we’ve got the likes of Ivan van Zyl and Charlie Bracken as well,” George added. “So, we’ve got real strength in depth there now.”

Peel: We’re all gutted

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said his squad were “all gutted” following their 26-19 Boxing Day derby defeat to the Ospreys.

Peel’s men launched a first-half onslaught against Mark Jones’ side but were unable to convert possession and territory into points, due in part to a resolute defensive display from their opponents.

Speaking after the match, the Scarlets boss couldn’t hide his frustration after ending up on the wrong side of the scoreline in what could prove to be the final west Wales derby played between the two sides.

“It was hugely frustrating, we are all gutted with that result,” said Peel. “You look at that first quarter, we had all the territory and passion and couldn’t get over the line, there was a disallowed try in there as well, then that two-try swing for them really hurt us.

“With all that possession, as much as we felt we were threatening on the edges and when we played with tempo you could see we got on top of them there, we were inaccurate and turned over a lot of ball.

“In the second half, it became too loose. At 14-7 we were back in it, but then at the start of the second half we coughed up balls with knock-ons, we could have dropped on the ball there for their third try, there were skill errors, we lost a couple of line-outs in their 22,” he added.

“When we come in on Sunday and review that game there will be elements we will be really disappointed with.

“As I said, I am pretty gutted, there was a great crowd here and I felt we were in a good spot going into the game, but the games come thick and fast now and it is about recovering well and being fresh and ready to go next week.”

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