Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has provided an update on Louis Rees-Zammit after the Wales international was a late withdrawal from the starting XV to face the Bulls last weekend.
Rees-Zammit has been working his way back from a head knock sustained against Sale Sharks earlier this month, an incident that forced him off despite passing an initial head injury assessment. Although he travelled with the squad to South Africa and took part in training, hopes of a return at Loftus Versfeld were dashed late on.
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The electric back failed a further HIA test after showing symptoms following the final training session, prompting Bristol to pull him from the team on matchday.
With the Bears preparing to host Bordeaux in the Champions Cup this Sunday, Lam is optimistic Rees-Zammit could yet return after two weeks on the sidelines, but stressed no risks will be taken.
“He is still going through the return-to-play process and training, and hopefully he will be available for selection,” Lam said.
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“Before we went to South Africa, it was only a seven-day turnaround from the head knock and there is an HIA3 test which he didn’t pass just before the Bulls game.
“One thing as a coach, I never mess around with head injuries. Players’ careers and futures are more important. Everyone is different – if anyone has symptoms, the next man steps up.
“Louis trained in our final session in Pretoria but showed a few symptoms the next day, so Rich Lane stepped up.”
Top 10 Fastest Rugby Players in the World (2026 Rankings)
Fastest Rugby Players:
10. Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
9. Damien Penaud (France)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
8. Grant Williams (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.2–10.7 m/s (22.8–24 mph)
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
7. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
6. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Top Speed: 24.2 mph (39 km/h)
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
5. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.7 seconds per 100m
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
4. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Top Speed: 37.8 km/h (23.5 mph)
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
3. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
2. Henry Arundell (England)
Top Speed: 11.5 m/s (25.7 mph)
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
1. Adam Radwan (England)
Top Speed: Tops GPS charts for current XVs players
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
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