1
No sign of 'Rees-Zammit for Wales' calls dying down ahead of the Six Nations
By Josh Raisey
Very few people would have known the name of Gloucester’s 18-year-old winger Louis Rees-Zammit two months ago, but he is now one of the most talked about players in Wales and England.
ADVERTISEMENT
While he made his debut at the end of last season, becoming the Cherry and Whites’ youngest ever Premiership player, it was only during a barnstorming December that he truly announced himself, racking up five league tries, the second-most this season so far, and being named the Gallagher Premiership player of the month.
Since then, pandamonium has ensued. Eddie Jones has set his sights on the Welsh-born player, which ignited calls for the teenager to be called up for Wales to end the interest from their bitterest rival.
That fear of losing him to England has abated as Rees-Zammit has said that he only intends on playing for Wales. Yet, the campaign for a call-up to Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations squad has not died down.
While it has been pointed out that one good month does not necessarily warrant international selection, Warren Gatland took a similar punt on another 18-year-old in 2010 – George North – which proved to be a stroke of genius.
Superb gesture and looks like he is going places ….hopefully starting with a call up to the Six Nations #Wales
— EGANS? (@egansmind) January 8, 2020
A valid argument, but if you're good enough, you're old enough. Throw him into the mix and may the best wing be picked. NZ don't hold them back. Competition for places is key, IMO.
— Russ Gardner???????#IndyWales (@RussGardner13) January 9, 2020
Deserves to be picked on form and that’s what Pivac should do, doesn’t necessary mean he starts!
— Michael Rees (@MikeRees27) January 9, 2020
The idea is that if a player is good enough, they are old enough, and the Gloucester wing has shown the raw talent and confidence to thrive at Test level at what is the beginning of a new World Cup cycle.
Even though this may be a hasty selection, the rationale is that he will be an established international come 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you are good enough then you should be in the squad! #enoughsaid
— gareth (@sewardgr) January 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/Morris5R/status/1214194392824717313?s=20
Has to be in the #6nations squad #wales
— #XRPete (@petergreen31) January 8, 2020
Furthermore, it has been stressed that a call-up to the national squad does not necessarily mean he will play for his country in the Six Nations. However, being immersed into such an environment can only be beneficial for a young player.
https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1214927653171539970?s=20
Especially as we have no 'A team' as the stepping stone, this 6Ns has got to be about development for some of the youngsters. 4 year's out from the next WC and given our injuries and the potential he's clearly showing, he's got to be capped.
— Adrian Thole (@adetholey) January 6, 2020
He can include him in the training squad. As Gatland did with so many players. Gives him valuable exposure to the National level.
— Steven Rhead (@SRheady1) January 6, 2020
The thing that goes against the 18-year-old currently is the strength in depth that Wales have on the wing. With Josh Adams, Owen Lane, Steff Evans, Hallam Amos, North, Johnny McNicholl and possibly even the returning Liam Williams all competing to start out wide for Wales, Rees-Zammit may be surplus to requirements at this stage.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, if he were a centre, a call-up would surely be in the offing given the crisis that Wales have there.
It is not beyond reason to say that Rees-Zammit may make it into Wales’ training squad in the next few weeks. But even if he doesn’t, the fact that so many people are having such a conversation is a sign of the impact he has already made.
WATCH: RugbyPass have made something truly special with the Barbarians rugby team – the release date is Sunday, January 12
