Warren Gatland makes feelings clear on Louis Rees-Zammit return as he offers support
Warren Gatland says he would welcome back Louis Rees-Zammit from the NFL with "open arms", but hasn't made any contact with the former Wales wing.
Rees-Zammit is currently weighing up his options after his first season in American football, after his initial deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars expired. The Jags are understood to have now offered him a new deal, but the past week has raised doubts over Rees-Zammit's future Stateside.
It has been a year since the 32-cap wing shocked Welsh rugby with his decision to try crack America. And Gatland admitted that he would happily have Rees-Zammit back - although he doubts the 23-year-old would call time on his dream just yet.
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"I think that’s a decision he’s made," said Gatland at the Six Nations launch in Rome. "We would love to have him back if he was available to us.
"We’re just waiting to see what happens. My understanding is he has an approach in terms of being retained by Jacksonville. I don’t know about that. Whenever he wants to come back he’d be more than welcome back in the fold.
"I haven’t spoken to him at the moment. He’s only been away for 12 months. It’s about seeing what happens in terms of what decisions are made in the US. He’d be more than welcome back into the fold.
"When you make such a big decision in terms of trying to follow your dreams is 12 months enough to say you’ve tried? I don’t know what the answer to that is. There are a lot of stories about him out there. I continue to wish him all the best. I’d be more than happy to welcome him back with open arms."
Expanding upon Rees-Zammit's experience in the NFL and what that could offer the former Gloucester man, who crossed for 14 tries in his brief Test career, Gatland added: "Just a different perspective on what a different sport does.
"He’s said himself things are brutal there, American sport is brutal. You get a text or a call to turn up with your stuff and: 'See you later – you’re gone'. Players are traded – they get that call saying: 'Sorry – you’ve been traded to another team'.
"There’s no discussion, no debate. From a growth point of view that will give him a different perspective. But look if he decided to come back we’d welcome him with open arms.
"The question for him is look is 12 months enough? He’s said this is his dream so does he do another year there getting into a squad or a training squad? I haven’t got enough experience or knowledge to comment on whether he’s good enough to play it. I just know that if he does decide to come back then there’ll be a spot for him."
