Rees-Lightning set to strike Boks
Louis Rees-Zammit is back in Wales’ red after a failed attempt at the NFL and a bright start to life at the Bristol Bears.
After nearly two years away from Test rugby, the electric winger has been recalled by new head coach Steve Tandy for the upcoming November Tests.
The 24-year-old, who won the last of his 32 caps at the 2023 World Cup, switched codes to pursue a career in American football. He joined the Kansas City Chiefs and later the Jacksonville Jaguars, but failed to make a competitive NFL appearance before returning to rugby with Bristol.
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His inclusion headlines Tandy’s first 39-man Wales squad, which features a blend of youth and experience for Tests against Argentina, Japan, the All Blacks and Springboks.
“It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got,” said Tandy, who took over from Warren Gatland in February after serving as Scotland’s defence coach since 2019.
“There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday.”
Loose forward Jac Morgan will captain the side, fresh from his British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, while fellow Lion Tomos Williams also earns selection.
𝙅𝙖𝙘 𝙞𝙨
How good is it to have this man return this autumn?
— Welsh Rugby Union
𝙅𝙖𝙘 𝙞𝙨 
(@WelshRugbyUnion) Locks Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return after sitting out the Japan series due to rest and surgery respectively.
The squad includes five uncapped players – hooker Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), prop Danny Southworth (Cardiff), lock James Fender, loose forward Morgan Morse (both Ospreys) and centre Louie Hennessey (Bath).
There’s also a reprieve for Saracens prop Rhys Carre, who has been cleared for selection despite not meeting the 25-cap threshold required for players based outside Wales.
Wales squad:
Forwards (22) – Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Brodie Coghlan, Christian Coleman, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, James Fender, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Danny Southworth, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs (17) – Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Kieran Hardy, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Tomos Williams.
Here is your 3⃣9⃣-man squad for our 2025 @QuilterNations campaign
— Welsh Rugby Union
𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙮𝙢𝙧𝙪 
– AFP
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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