Louis Rees-Zammit: Why He Left NFL, Return to Rugby & Speed

Louis Rees-Zammit, the Welsh winger who traded Gloucester for the NFL, returned to rugby after 18 months claiming to be faster and stronger — a trade-off between lost international appearances and physical gains that this article examines with verified data and sourced facts.

Date of birth: 2 February 2001 ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) ·
Position: Wing / Fullback ·
Current team: Bristol Bears ·
NFL team (2024): Jacksonville Jaguars (practice squad) ·
Wales caps: Returned to Wales squad in October 2025

Below is a summary of key biographical data for Louis Rees-Zammit, highlighting the athletic profile that made him an NFL prospect.

Why did Louis Rees-Zammit leave the NFL?

Rees-Zammit’s decision to walk away from American football after 18 months was driven by a simple realisation: he was unlikely to secure a playing contract. He told ESPN he was “wasting my talent” and “fed up” with life on the practice squad (ESPN (sports news outlet)). The competitive reality of the NFL – where depth charts are deep and roster spots scarce – meant that even a world-class rugby athlete could not guarantee game time.

What did Rees-Zammit say about his NFL experience?

In a candid interview, Rees-Zammit compared his NFL stint to “wasting my talent” and said he missed playing competitive rugby every weekend. He made the announcement on Instagram in July 2025, writing: “I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby! It’s been a great experience but it’s time to come home.” (Instagram (social media platform)).

How did his NFL stint affect his rugby career?

According to Sport Science Agency (athletic performance analysts), Rees-Zammit’s speed, agility and explosiveness made him an intriguing NFL prospect. That same profile now gives Bristol Bears a physically upgraded version of the player who left in 2024.

Where is Louis Rees-Zammit now?

Rees-Zammit signed a long-term deal with Bristol Bears on 14 August 2025 (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). He made his first Wales appearance since the 2023 World Cup against Argentina in Cardiff, coming on as a second-half replacement in a 52-28 defeat (RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster)).

Which team does Louis Rees-Zammit play for now?

He is registered with Bristol Bears in the English Premiership. The club announced the signing in August 2025 as a multi-year commitment.

Is Louis Rees-Zammit back in the Wales squad?

Yes. On 21 October 2025, Wales head coach Warren Gatland recalled him to the Wales squad for the Autumn Nations Series, ending a two-year international absence (Welsh Rugby Union (governing body)).

His return to the Wales squad signals a fresh start after the NFL detour.

How much did Louis Rees-Zammit earn in the NFL?

Exact figures are not publicly detailed, but NFL practice squad players in 2024 earned a weekly stipend that typically ranges from $12,000 to $16,000 per week (Spotrac (contract tracking site)). Rees-Zammit’s deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars was for the 2024 season, and he was re-signed in February 2025 before his return to rugby (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).

What was his NFL contract value?

No official contract value has been disclosed. Spotrac lists his NFL contracts but does not publish practice squad salaries in detail.

How does his NFL salary compare to rugby earnings?

A typical Welsh international rugby player with a club contract can earn £200,000–£400,000 per year, plus bonuses. The practice squad stipend – roughly $12,000–$16,000 per week for a 17-week season – amounts to $204,000–$272,000, comparable but without the long-term security of a multi-year rugby deal. Rees-Zammit’s decision to return suggests the financial upside of the NFL was not enough to offset the lack of game time.

Who is faster, Arundel or Zammit?

Both are renowned for raw pace, but no official head-to-head speed test exists. Rees-Zammit has been clocked at 24.2 miles per hour during a Wales-Fiji Test in 2021 (ESPN (sports news outlet)). Henry Arundell, his England counterpart, has recorded similar GPS figures in club matches, though exact comparisons are complicated by different timing methods and pitch conditions.

What are the top speeds of Arundel and Zammit?

The following table compares the recorded speeds of Rees-Zammit and Henry Arundell, though GPS data varies by match conditions.

The implication: both are elite-level speedsters, but Rees-Zammit’s official 24.2 mph gives him a slight edge in documented peak velocity. Arundell’s pace is more anecdotal, based on highlight reels rather than published GPS data.

Is Zammit considered the fastest rugby player?

Within the current Wales squad, yes. Across world rugby, he is consistently mentioned among the fastest, along with Christian Wade, Jonny May (England), and Carlin Isles (USA 7s). No single official record exists, but Rees-Zammit’s 10.44 sec 100m time (if confirmed) would place him among the all-time speedsters (Sky Sports (sports broadcaster)).

Who is the quickest rugby player ever?

The title is fiercely debated. Historically, Bryan Habana (South Africa) and Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) are mentioned, but modern GPS data gives the edge to players like Jonny May, who clocked 23.7 mph in an England Test. Rees-Zammit’s 24.2 mph is among the highest recorded in international rugby.

How does Zammit compare to historic speedsters?

Christian Wade (ex-England) was known for blistering pace but never officially recorded a high GPS speed in open play. Bryan Habana’s top speed was estimated at 10.7 m/s (~23.9 mph). Rees-Zammit’s 24.2 mph puts him ahead of those benchmarks, though the data sets are not directly comparable (BBC Sport (broadcaster)).

What is the official record for fastest rugby player?

World Rugby does not maintain a speed record database. Some reports claim Seabelo Senatla recorded 24.5 mph in Sevens, though official records vary. Rees-Zammit’s 24.2 mph is close, but without standardised measurement, the question remains open.

The debate over the fastest rugby player remains unresolved, but Rees-Zammit’s claim is grounded in verifiable data.

Career timeline

Rees-Zammit’s career timeline illustrates his rapid rise and the detour through American football.

Quotes from the athlete himself

“I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby! It’s been a great experience but it’s time to come home.”

– Louis Rees-Zammit, Instagram announcement, July 2025 (Instagram (social media platform))

In a separate interview, Rees-Zammit admitted he was “wasting my talent” and “fed up” with not playing competitive games, as reported in a news article (Reddit (community forum)).

For Rees-Zammit, the NFL gamble was a short chapter – one that cost him two years of international rugby but gave him a physique that could extend his career at the highest level. For the Wales Rugby Union, the decision is clear: give him the game time to prove that his cross-sport experiment was a net positive, or risk seeing his prime years wasted on the bench.