Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted he expected more from himself during his first year back in rugby, acknowledging he has not settled in as quickly as he wanted following his return from the NFL. The Wales international spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but failed to make the grade in American football and returned to rugby last summer by signing for Bristol Bears.
Rees-Zammit reflects on challenging return
Since his return, the 25-year-old has featured in all but one of Wales' 11 Test matches during the 2025/26 season, starting eight of those games. However, he has scored just two international tries since coming back, going the entire Six Nations without crossing the try line despite playing every minute of Wales' campaign. He is also yet to score in the Nations Championship.
Recalled to the starting side to face the Springboks this weekend after being dropped to the bench for last week's clash with Argentina, Rees-Zammit opened up on the challenges he has faced. "I haven't settled in as quickly as I wanted to back into rugby," he admitted. "The more games I am playing, the more confidence I'm getting. This season was a very long one and I played multiple positions. I never quite got my feet on the ground and back running like I used to, but I've learned so much."
He added: "Hopefully I can give it my all for this final game, then next year is the year that I try and make the biggest impact I can." Insisting he has no regrets about his rugby return, the Wales star said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It's taken a bit of time to find my feet again, but this is the sport I've played since I was seven. I've loved being back in this environment, in the Welsh squad playing Test games against tough opposition. I was out of the game for a bit so it was going to take time, but I'm feeling confident and ready to finish the season strongly."
England forced to change hotel amid Argentina celebrations
England rugby have been forced to change hotel in Buenos Aires on Sunday night to avoid being caught up in celebrations should Argentina win the World Cup. Hundreds of thousands of fans gathered around the Obelisk on the Plaza de la Republica on Wednesday night to celebrate the 2-1 semi-final victory over Thomas Tuchel's side, right outside where England have been based.
Fireworks were let off throughout the night and earplugs were issued to players and staff to help with sleep, while steel fencing was erected around the hotel as a precaution. England travel to Santiago del Estero for Saturday's clash with the Pumas but return to Buenos Aires 24 hours later, running the risk of being caught up in scenes similar to 2022 when millions descended on the Obelisk after Argentina won the World Cup. To avoid logistical issues, they have chosen a new hotel near the airport ahead of their return home on Monday.
England head coach Steve Borthwick said: "I wouldn't suggest that everybody got a great night's sleep last night – there were still fireworks going off at 4am this morning. Most of us were on the other side of the hotel and earplugs were issued to everybody, so we were prepared for that. I went up to the hotel terrace that overlooks the street fairly late and there were still a load of players just watching it and just taking it in. People jumping up and down for hours in the streets. Fireworks going off. It was something to see. We'd obviously all wanted England to win but one of the experiences of touring is seeing a spectacle like that in a different part of the world."
Scotland make 14 changes for Fiji clash
Gregor Townsend is mindful of "creating depth" for the future after making 14 changes for Scotland's Nations Championship clash with Fiji. Only Gregor Brown retains his starting place following last weekend's defeat by South Africa, and Stafford McDowall will captain the team with a host of experienced players on the bench.
Townsend said: "We're excited to see this team play. A lot of them have been training throughout against the teams that have played against Argentina and South Africa. There's one player that misses out, Nathan Macbeth, who's had a leg infection in the last few days, but everyone that came on tour is going to get a chance to play. And a lot of them are getting a chance to start. We've got to have an eye on the future, so the depth that we've created and are still creating, that only comes if you give people opportunities."
Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Freddy Douglas will make their first international starts when Fiji visit Murrayfield on Saturday. Townsend praised Douglas: "Freddy came off the bench against France in the Six Nations, so we think very highly of him. The breakdown is going to be a crucial area. Fiji love to jackal, we now have one of the best jackals in the world on our team, so if it becomes that sort of game I think Freddy can come into his own. But he's developed his game much more than that. He's a carrier, really detailed in his maul work, and he knows now the balance between having to tackle and waiting for the jackal."
Scotland's two leading try scorers of all time, wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, have been brought in for their first appearances of the summer. Townsend said: "Both of them can consider themselves unlucky not to play in the first two games. They've both reacted really well in training. Duhan had some injury issues during the Six Nations, came back and played really well for Edinburgh at the end of the season. We had a training game with Spain where he went very well. We see him now in his best physical shape and really confident with how his body is working. Darcy hasn't changed really at all throughout the year. Whatever role he played in the Six Nations, whether it was off the bench or starting, he was outstanding. They're really motivated."
