Gloucester speedster Christian Wade is confident Louis Rees-Zammit will make a successful transition from rugby union to American football with NFL outfit the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In January, Rees-Zammit shocked the rugby fraternity when it was confirmed he was heading to the United States to join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP).

The IPP gives elite athletes from around the world the chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster and increase the number of international players in the league.

Signed a three-year deal with the Super Bowl champions

The former Wales and Gloucester star gave a good account of himself during his IPP stint and in March it was announced that he signed a three-year contract with Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, things went pear-shaped for the 23-year-old at the end of August when he was cut from the Chiefs’ roster after failing to pick up the nuances of his new sport quickly enough.

Despite failing to make their 53-man NFL roster, Rees-Zammit‘s dream of playing in the NFL received a lifeline when he was picked up by the Jaguars to join their practice squad.

He also changed positions from running back to wide receiver when he joined the Florida-based outfit.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Wade, who also made the switch to the NFL in 2018 and spent four years with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, was asked if Rees-Zammit can go further in the NFL than he did and replied: “One hundred percent.

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“All it takes is… he needs to get the trust of his coaches. So they know, OK, we can put him in the game.”

Wade, who played for the British and Irish Lions on their 2013 tour to Australia, initially represented former Premiership outfit Wasps from 2011 to 2018 and won one Test cap for England.

He said his to move to the NFL was something which he gave plenty of thought to before eventually made the decision.

‘Fascinated by the way the Americans trained’

“I always was fascinated by the way the Americans trained,” said Wade. “Their work ethic and stuff like that. For me, it was something that was definitely in my heart for a long time.”

A shoulder injury eventually led to him being waived by the Bills in 2022 and he returned to rugby union with Racing 92. The 33-year-old spent two seasons with the Top 14 club before returning to the English game with Gloucester at the start of this Premiership campaign.

He urged Rees-Zammit to shine while on the Jaguars’ practice squad and to make the most of any opportunity which comes along.

“That’s the place where Zam wants to get to,” Wade said.

“Because he’s not going to be first string, second string or whatever. But (they) will be, OK, we’ve got this guy. He’s fast, he’s got great skills. We can trust him if we need to use him… that’s basically the stage you want to get to.

“You can never predict what’s going to happen. For me, personally, if he’s there in the league, he has everything he needs to be able to play.”

READ MORE: Christian Wade highlights key factor Louis Rees-Zammit must master to succeed in NFL