Louis Rees-Zammit given brutal welcome back to rugby in first game since NFL dream ended

Louis Rees-Zammit experienced a "welcome back to rugby" moment during his return to the sport over the weekend. The Welsh international turned out for Bristol Bears in the PREM Rugby Cup, marking his first appearance in rugby union since January 13, 2024, in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Penarth flyer chose to leave rugby in January 2024, pursuing his ambition of playing American football in the NFL. After spells with Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, things didn't pan out for Rees-Zammit, and he returned to rugby in August, putting pen to paper with the West Country side shortly afterwards.

It was anticipated that Rees-Zammit would make his bow for the Bears against Leicester Tigers in the PREM Rugby opener at Ashton Gate later this month, but manager Pat Lam opted to give his new winger a run-out in the cup initially.

Despite Lam being satisfied with what he witnessed on Saturday afternoon, there was a moment where Rees-Zammit was reminded of just how ruthless rugby can be.

In dreadful conditions, 22-year-old Rekeiti Ma'asi-White broke down the left wing, and delivered a thunderous hand-off on Rees-Zammit, who was sent tumbling backwards.

It's not as though Rees-Zammit was unfamiliar with contact whilst he was playing American football, but the lack of protective padding will be something to get used to for the Welshman.

During his time in the NFL, Rees-Zammit played as a wide receiver and running back. He told the media that he felt like he was wasting his talent in America, and that's why he decided to return to rugby.

Check out the clip below. It's been shared on social media by Tight Five Rugby with the caption: "Welcome back to the real stuff, Louis Rees-Zammit! Rekeiti Ma'asi-White showing no mercy."

Rees-Zammit had a 30-minute stint against Sale Sharks, which ended in a 24-15 victory for the northern side. Bristol's head coach Lam was full of praise for the winger after his impressive comeback.

"The positive is he got out there, he got some game time," said Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam during an interview with BBC Radio Bristol.

"You could see he tried to have a go a couple of times, he's a threat. Unfortunately by the time he came on the rain was coming down for him, but you can see how dangerous he is.

"That's the first step of some big steps he's going to make going through. He got through it, he's happy, I'm happy and we'll move to the next stage."

The Bears also saw four other players making their debut that day, including Luka Ivanishvili, Josh Carrington and Max Pepper. Rees-Zammit is expected to face his former club Gloucester in the cup on Friday, confirmed Lam.

"That's a big confidence builder him just to get back in. Next week he'll get a good chance to take the next step and keep improving," added the Bears boss.

"It's a big journey for him. He'll be involved, we'll just see how we all look when we get back to training."