Wales head coach Warren Gatland says there “will be a spot” for Louis Rees-Zammit should he decide to return to rugby union amid his pursuit of an opportunity in the NFL.

Rees-Zammit spent the 2024 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad having left rugby on the eve of last year’s Six Nations to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme.

He had initially signed with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and featured heavily in preseason before being released and picked up by the Jaguars.

The former Gloucester winger did not feature for the Jaguars during the regular season and recently saw his contract expire.

“We would love to have him back if he was available to us,” Gatland said ahead of the Six Nations. “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.

“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.”

The 23-year-old had initially been working out as a running back during his stint with the Chiefs, before turning his focus to playing wide receiver with the Jags, a position he felt was more suited to his skillset.

The Jaguars are primed to enter the 2025 campaign under a new head coach after Doug Pederson was fired at the end of the season following his side’s 4-13 finish.

While acknowledging the hurdles facing Rees-Zammit in his pursuit of an opportunity in the NFL, Gatland believes the experience will have been of benefit regardless of what the future holds.

“It’s offered a different perspective on what a different sport does,” Gatland added. “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.

“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.”

Rees-Zammit had been one of 23 IPP athletes on an NFL roster last season, with an extra 17th practice squad roster spot reserved for international players.

This year’s IPP class notably includes Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona as well as Australia rugby union international Jordan Petaia and Ulster player Aaron Sexton. Representing the UK is former NFL Academy defensive tackle Dante Barnett and defensive lineman/linebacker Mapalo ‘Maz’ Mwansa.

What’s next?

It’s the NFL Conference Championships on Sunday January 26 – live on Sky Sports NFL – with the Philadelphia Eagles first hosting the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game from 8pm, and then the Chiefs taking on the Bills from 11.30pm.

Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.