Louis Rees-Zammit has opened up on what has been a difficult start to his NFL career, admitting that while his new sport may be less physically demanding than rugby, he has found it far more mentally taxing.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Like his team-mates, Rees-Zammit has to learn 500 different possible plays heading into the new season, with any of 100 different moves called during each match with just three seconds' notice. It's been a difficult task as he tries to learn the basics of a new sport, with a number of upheavals making matters even harder.
The former Wales wing has re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2025/26 season, having joined the franchise last August after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs. His first campaign in American football saw him develop his skills in the Jaguars' practice squad, but aside from three pre-season appearances for the Chiefs, he is yet to see action in a game.
With Rees-Zammit already trying to get his head around an extensive playbook and catch up with his teammates who have been playing the sport consistently since childhood, his bid to make it to the active roster has also not been helped by the Jaguars' form, as they failed to qualify for the play-offs after finishing second bottom of AFC South.
Head coach Doug Pedersen — who told the Welshman that his "opportunity will come" after being impressed by his athleticism — was then sacked following the poor campaign, as part of a major overhaul at the franchise.
When he played rugby, the former Wales winger weighed approximately 15st 7lbs. Now that he's gained around a stone (14lbs), he weighs in at 16st 7lbs. This added weight will undoubtedly aid him in a sport dominated by giant-sized men.
EDITORS PICKS:
Full list of referee's for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour:
Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 19 July 2025 – Test Match 1
Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Sat 26 July 2025 – Test Match 2
Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 2 Aug 2025 – Test Match 3
Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!
MORE QUIZZES: