Louis Rees-Zammit has issued a defiant statement ahead of his much-anticipated start for Wales against Japan at the Principality Stadium
Louis Rees-Zammit in Wales training
Louis Rees-Zammit is relishing his return to the Wales starting line-up
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Louis Rees-Zammit has made his intentions clear with a three-word message ahead of his first Wales start in two years.
The Bristol wing will make his first appearance in a Wales starting XV since his spell in American football when Japan visit Cardiff on Saturday. The 24-year-old, who came off the bench during the defeat to Argentina last Sunday, is one of four personnel changes to Steve Tandy’s side for the second match of the Quilter Nations Series at the Principality Stadium.
Rees-Zammit has tried his luck with NFL outfits Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars since his last Wales start at the 2023 World Cup. Having turned his attention back to rugby, he is clearly relishing the occasion.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, he posted a picture of himself taking a high ball in training with the caption: “Ready for tomorrow,” with his trademark lightning emoji alongside one of a stadium.
Tandy has described picking Rees-Zammit as a simple decision. He said: “I think it was pretty straightforward. We know the quality he brings.
Louis Rees-Zammit shared his picture with his 456,000 Instagram followers
Rees-Zammit shared his picture with his 456,000 Instagram followers
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“It’s exciting. He’s been brilliant around the camp. He’s grown as a rugby player, he’s leading really well.
“He was brilliant last week coming off the bench. You can see in the training week what he’s like. He was disappointed not to have one or two tries.”
In other team news, injury to captain Jac Morgan has forced changes in the pack with Alex Mann moving to openside flanker and Alan Wainwright starting at blindside. Leicester’s Olly Cracknell comes into the side at No.8 after making his debut as a replacement last weekend.
Steve Tandy desperately needs a win against Japan
Steve Tandy desperately needs a win against Japan
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Tandy has rotated his props with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin coming in for Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti, who are among the replacements. Hooker Dewi Lake takes over as captain from Morgan, who will miss the rest of the autumn programme with a dislocated shoulder.
Tandy said: “I think we’ve definitely seen lots of how we want to play against Argentina. There was lots to be pleased about – our attack I thought was excellent and I saw a lot of physicality – but there’s lots to improve.
“So that’s what we’ve been focusing on. We’re looking to build on the first performance into this weekend.”
Wales team: B Murray (Scarlets), L Rees-Zammit (Bristol), M Llewellyn (Gloucester), B Thomas (Cardiff), J Adams (Cardiff), D Edwards (Ospreys), T Williams (Gloucester); N Smith (Leicester), D Lake (Ospreys, capt), A Griffin (Bath), D Jenkins (Exeter), A Beard (Montpellier), A Wainwright (Dragons), A Mann (Cardiff), O Cracknell (Leicester).
Replacements: L Belcher (Cardiff), R Carre (Saracens), K Assiratti (Cardiff), F Thomas (Gloucester), T Plumtree (Scarlets), K Hardy (Ospreys), J Evans (Harlequins), N Tompkins (Saracens).