“I think rugby really prepared me for this with the conditioning, being in physical shape. I think the biggest difference is the mental side, staying on top of things and the playbook and making no mistakes,” Rees-Zammit said.

“The first goal is to make the team. I know special teams is going to be massive for me, working with coach Toubs [special teams coach Dave Toub]. The way I’m going to make this team is by learning pass protection and learning special teams.”

The former British and Irish Lion also addressed his surprisingly slow 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds in front of scouts at his IPPP pro day back in March, noting that he had previously been running as low as the 4.2s and 4.3s.

“It came to it and I just couldn’t get my legs going to be honest, but I didn’t get too down about it. I had opportunities elsewhere but this was the place I wanted to be, especially with the coaching staff and the players they’ve got.”

Andy Reid, the Chiefs head coach, has also discussed Rees-Zammit practising special-teams drills this week.

Reid said: “We give everybody a chance back there. He is so talented, but if you can get a couple, three guys who can do that and you feel comfortable with them that is a pretty good thing. We asked him to get back there [to return kicks] and he wants to do that, he wants to play. He has a great attitude.”