SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 9 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Gloucester teenager Louis Rees-Zammit in line for Six Nations call-up

:Headline: Gloucester teenager Louis Rees-Zammit in line for Six Nations call-up: ID:386082: from db_amp
The teenager has caught the eye for his club Gloucester.

Teenager Louis Rees-Zammit is set to be named in Wales' Guinness Six Nations squad, the PA news agency understands.

The 18-year-old Gloucester wing has lit up English rugby this season, scoring nine tries in 10 games for his club.

And that blistering form has attracted Wales head coach Wayne Pivac's attention as he prepares for Wednesday's squad announcement.

Rees-Zammit, who was born in Penarth, has claimed six touchdowns in his last three Gloucester appearances, including a hat-trick against Northampton.

He has already been rewarded with a long-term club contract after developing at a startling pace through Gloucester's academy, and he has spoken about his dream to represent Wales.

If he features against opening Six Nations opponents Italy in Cardiff on February 1, he would join an elite band of 18-year-olds to play for Wales, including George North and Tom Prydie.

“For his young age, Louis has a very mature attitude”
- Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann

Rees-Zammit will turn 19 the day after that match, which will be Wales' first Six Nations Test under Pivac and his new coaching team.

Speaking earlier this week, Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann said: "For his young age, Louis has a very mature attitude, a willingness to work hard and a commitment to rugby.

"If he stays humble and stays hungry to improve, I have no doubt that he has an extremely promising career ahead of him."

And Gloucester rugby director David Humphreys added: "Louis has had an amazing start to his professional rugby career.

"Not many 18-year-old academy players get an opportunity to play regular Premiership and Champions Cup, but Louis has taken his chance and become a regular member of the match-day squad over the last few months."

While Rees-Zammit prepares for a potential first taste of the senior international environment, Pivac's squad is also likely to include many familiar faces.

Bath and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau. (David Davies/PA Wire)

Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau is poised to return, having missed the World Cup in Japan because of a collarbone injury.

It was another cruel injury setback for the 29-year-old, who has won 72 caps, but not played Test rugby since March 2018.

It is more than two years since scrum-half Rhys Webb pulled on a Wales shirt, having joined French giants Toulon and ruled himself out of Test selection because he did not meet the minimum 60-cap requirement required for players plying their trade outside the Principality.

Toulon recently agreed to Webb's early release from his contract for family reasons, and he will rejoin the Ospreys next term.

He was originally eligible for Wales again from July 1, but the Welsh Rugby Union announced that the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) had agreed to an application from Webb for a six-month dispensation, during which time Pivac can consider him.

Rhys Webb in action for Wales. (David Davies/PA Wire)

The PRB comprises representatives from each of the five professional entities in Welsh rugby – its four regions, the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Dragons, plus the WRU – and shares responsibility for running the professional game.

Webb, if selected, would enhance already strong scrum-half options for Pivac, given the impressive World Cup contributions made by Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams.

Pivac will be without the likes of long-term injured pair Jonathan Davies and Gareth Anscombe, while Scarlets-bound Saracens back Liam Williams has not played since suffering an ankle injury at the World Cup.

With centre Davies sidelined, there could be a recall for Rees-Zammit's Gloucester colleague Owen Williams, who won the last of his three caps in November 2017, while uncapped Sale Sharks prop WillGriff John is thought to be among the front-row candidates.

amp_article__386082 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-14 17:25:01:
html db last update - 2020-01-14 17:25:01 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Louis Rees-Zammit

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .