ROME — Wales head coach Warren Gatland has mentioned he would welcome again Louis Rees-Zammit with open arms however mentioned he has had no contact with the previous rugby union participant and expects him to remain in America and proceed attempting to realize his dream of enjoying within the NFL.
Rees-Zammit stepped away from rugby forward of final 12 months’s Six Nations to hitch the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway (IPP) — a scheme which helps elite athletes transition to the NFL and affords them a platform to win a contract with one of many franchises. Rees-Zammit signed with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as a working again by the Chiefs on a three-year deal final March however was waived by them in August. He then signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ follow squad however his deal there has expired.
Gatland expects Rees-Zammit to remain in America with widespread studies suggesting Rees-Zammit has a brand new contract supply on the desk from the Jaguars. Regardless of the uncertainty over his future, Gatland says he has not acquired any phrase from Rees-Zammit over his subsequent steps and would not anticipate the previous winger to return to the game any time quickly.
“We might like to have him again if he was obtainable to us,” Gatland mentioned. “We’re simply ready to see what occurs. My understanding is he has an strategy by way of being retained by Jacksonville. I do not learn about that. Every time he desires to return again, he’d be greater than welcome again within the fold.
“He is solely been away for 12 months. It is about seeing what occurs by way of what choices are made within the U.S. He’d be greater than welcome again into the fold. While you make such a giant choice by way of attempting to observe your goals, is 12 months sufficient to say you’ve got tried? I do not know what the reply to that’s. There are plenty of tales about him on the market. I proceed to want him all one of the best. I might be more than pleased to welcome him again with open arms.”
Gatland believes Rees-Zammit might be benefiting vastly from the expertise.
“It is provided a special perspective on what a special sport does,” Gatland mentioned. “He is mentioned himself issues are brutal there; American sport is brutal. You get a textual content or a name to show up along with your stuff and goodbye you are gone. Gamers are traded, they get that decision saying sorry you’ve got been traded to a different staff. There is no dialogue, no debate. From a progress viewpoint, that can give him a special perspective.
“I have not bought sufficient expertise or information to touch upon whether or not he is ok to play it, I simply know that if he does resolve to return again, then there will be a spot for him.”
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