It’s been a monumental year for rugby. A British and Irish Lions series, a Women’s World Cup and a wealth of elite Test matches. Nevertheless, when it comes to individuals, you’d struggle to find anyone who’s experienced more of a turbulent year than Welsh rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit.

Just 12 months ago, Rees-Zammit was in the middle of an NFL campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, attempting to secure a place in their 53-man squad from the 17-player practice roster. Yet, that opportunity never materialised, and Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was dismissed, throwing Rees-Zammit’s American football prospects into even greater doubt as he finished the campaign without featuring in a regular-season match.

Whilst optimism persisted for Rees-Zammit’s American ambitions, his path took an extraordinary twist in August as he revealed he was abandoning the NFL and returning to rugby.

“I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby!” Rees-Zammit posted on Instagram. “It’s been a great experience but it’s time to come home.

“I’ve decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season. There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am! ! There’ll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans.”

In the days following this announcement, speculation swirled regarding which club would secure the services of the Welsh wing. Teams from throughout England and France were reportedly eager to capture his signature, but it emerged on August 14 that the Penarth native would be linking up with West Country side Bristol Bears.

“Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me. The style of rugby the team play – all about entertaining the fans and growing the game – perfectly aligns to how I want to play and how I express myself on and off the field,” he declared upon putting pen to paper.

“I want to get fans out of their seats, create exciting moments and help people fall in the love with the game. I’m excited to return to rugby at a club that demands those values. I’m looking forward to working with my teammates, Pat Lam and the coaches and all the backroom team to bring success to the Bears.”

He would also disclose that his influencer girlfriend, Drew Knotts, would be relocating from Florida to Wales in a significant lifestyle shift. “I took her to the Wales v Ireland game for the Six Nations,” the winger explained when discussing Knotts in August.

“She really enjoyed it. She doesn’t have a clue what rugby is! When she saw that kind of environment, she really wanted to watch me play rugby.

“It’s something I can give her now, I can allow her to learn rugby, she’ll learn a lot from my family, the rules and the crowd. She’s really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a big change for her.

“She’s moving permanently. Depending on visas and stuff, there’s a lot to do with getting over to America and vice versa. I experienced that first-hand. But she’s obviously doing the opposite to what I did. I went over there, lived there.

“But now she’s coming back and living in Wales. So, from Florida to Wales! Well, depending on visas and stuff, there’s a lot to do with getting over to America and vice versa.

“I experienced that first hand. But she’s obviously doing the opposite to what I did. I went over there, lived there, but now she’s coming back and living in Wales. (The weather’s the same) – that’s what I said to her, don’t worry about it!”

Rees-Zammit exploded back onto the scene, adapting to PREM rugby with remarkable ease. Nevertheless, his first start back against Gloucester wasn’t without controversy.

During the PREM Rugby Cup clash, he found the scoresheet, became embroiled in a scuffle and received his marching orders against his former club. He clashed with fellow Welshman Caio Jones, with the duo exchanging heated words as they departed the pitch.

Rees-Zammit would subsequently reveal the reality behind the altercation on The Rugby Pod. He explained: “The reason why I was talking to him after, when we were walking off, is because I heard his Welsh accent!

“Before that, I didn’t know he was Welsh. So, that’s when I heard his accent and I was like: ‘Oh yeah! Okay!'”

Rees-Zammit then turned out for Wales during the autumn internationals, making his triumphant return against Argentina in Cardiff as a substitute. Despite a forgettable autumn for Wales, the focus now shifts to the Six Nations, with Rees-Zammit aiming to dazzle on the global stage once again in 2026.