Louis Rees-Zammit (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Louis Rees-Zammit has disclosed the weight he piled on whilst attempting to make his mark in the NFL as he gears up for his comeback to rugby union - though he maintains that hasn't affected his legendary pace. The Wales winger was snapped up by Bristol Bears last week on a one-year contract, with the 24-year-old being presented at a press conference earlier this week.
Rees-Zammit had declared his return to rugby in July, having spent over a year attempting to break into American football.
Following a shocking announcement on the day that Wales were revealing their 2024 Six Nations squad, Rees-Zammit spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars as he endeavoured to make it across the pond.
The absence of an NFL appearance in his debut season wasn't surprising, with Rees-Zammit spending time on the Jaguars' practice squad to master his craft.
Nevertheless, before the beginning of his second year in Florida, he chose to return to rugby union - with the opportunity to don a Wales jersey once more this November now within reach.
Understandably, Rees-Zammit's focus is now shifting to readjusting back to life in rugby - having been required to bulk up during his stint in American football.
"It is hard to say because it is a lot less conditioning," said Rees-Zammit. "I got up to like 105 kilos and my playing weight in rugby was probably about 96.
"Over the last couple of months I have really got myself back to about 100kg and now I am actually doing rugby training, I think I can get straight back down to that 96-98 kilo range and that is probably perfect for me."
Despite packing on the pounds during his NFL stint, Rees-Zammit maintains it didn't hamper his speed - pointing out the impressive speeds he was still achieving in America.
"It didn't actually," he responded when questioned if the weight gain had impacted his pace.
"On stats it didn't, I was still hitting 23mph at 105 kilos so it was just the amount of conditioning, they don't do that much because plays last four to six seconds in the NFL so it is not something they need to have.
"It is all about repeated sprints for the wide receivers.
"Playing rugby it is different, you have got to be very fit because the ball in play, if that gets high you are going to be running around a lot.
"Weight never affected my speed, it is just that body-wise I was quite skinny playing rugby, in my upper body, and that is going to help me with collisions coming back."