Rees-Zammit targets big Bristol season with 2027 World Cup firmly in his sights

Louis Rees-Zammit has declared himself ready to deliver his best rugby yet at Bristol Bears, with the Wales wing using the 2027 World Cup in Australia as the driving force behind what he expects to be a defining season.

The 25-year-old returned to pre-season training at Bristol this week after representing Wales in all three of their Nations Championship fixtures. It marks the start of his second full campaign with the Bears following his return from 18 months in the NFL, where he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rees-Zammit scored seven tries in 13 games for Bristol last season despite dealing with injuries and switching between wing and full-back, but he believes the settling-in period is now behind him.

“This second season for me is quite big, and I think I’ve had a good couple of weeks of work now heading into pre-season Monday with Bristol,” he told the Western Mail. “I know the boys have been training for a couple of months, but I’m looking forward to getting back integrated with the boys and getting back to full-on rugby sessions.”

With the World Cup looming, Rees-Zammit is acutely aware of the stakes. “I know how big this year is heading into a World Cup. One of the most enjoyable years to play rugby is one season heading into a World Cup, and obviously I went to the 2023 World Cup, and that was one of the best experiences of my life so far.”

He was candid about the transition he has had to manage since stepping away from the game for two years. “I think this year now it’s a real big one, and I’m feeling ready and I’m feeling prepared,” he said. “It’s about putting the good performances in, and especially for me now settling in last year into rugby, obviously being away for two years.”

Bristol will be hoping that renewed focus translates into the kind of consistent, explosive form that made Rees-Zammit one of European rugby’s most exciting talents before his NFL adventure — and Wales will be watching just as closely as the Premiership.