Rees-Zammit is currently in a moon boot after being left struggling to walk following his injury
Louis Rees-Zammit of Bristol is tackled by Nick Tompkins of Saracens(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Louis Rees-Zammit faces a race against time to be fit for Wales’ autumn internationals after Bristol Bears issued an update on the winger after he limped off during their 50-17 defeat to Saracens last weekend.
The 24-year-old injured his foot in the Gallagher Prem clash, being unable to continue as the Bears’ injury woes only grew during the hammering. Welsh-qualified centre Joe Jenkins and Scotland playmaker Tom Jordan were also forced off, with the club having already lost a number of key players to injury.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam initially said they would wait and see on Rees-Zammit’s injury, with Lam now offering an update which throws doubt on him featuring for the start of Wales’ campaign, which begins against Argentina on November 9.
He confirmed Rees-Zammit was struggling to walk after Saturday’s match after a player fell on his foot following a break and he is currently in a moon boot. There is no specified date for his return from the “foot sprain”, although he is expected to be missing for the next few weeks amid hope he could still be fit for the start of November. The Wales squad is due to be named the week after next.
Rees-Zammit would have been near the top of new head coach Steve Tandy’s plans following his return from the NFL.
The wing, who last played for Wales in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina in Marseille, left for America last year to try his hand at American football.
However, after stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, Rees-Zammit announced back in July that he would return to rugby – having not played a single down in the NFL.
Regardless of the lack of rugby Rees-Zammit has played over the last couple of years, Tandy will have been keen to have him available ahead of autumn clashes with Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in Cardiff.
Wales’ losing run of 18 consecutive Tests was ended this summer with victory over Japan in Kobe, but there is still pressure to get results with the 2027 World Cup draw taking place later this year.
Bristol’s treatment room is fairly crowded at the minute. As well as Rees-Zammit, Jenkins and Jordan, the Bears have also seen AJ MacGinty, Harry Randall and Gabriel Ibitoye forced off in matches this season.
That trio all required surgery on their injuries, while the club were already treating the likes of Noah Heward, Rich Lane, Sam Wolstenholme, Jack Bates and James Williams
Lam said: “We couldn’t do much in training on Tuesday and a lot of guys who were up for selection couldn’t train. It is what it is. Our sessions are not what we normally do, but we have to adapt. We have to focus on what will be beneficial to us at the weekend, so we have done a lot of clarity work off the field in the classroom.”
Amid the ongoing injury crisis, Bristol have confirmed the signing of Argentina international Matias Moroni on a short-term deal as cover.
The 34-year-old, who can play either centre or wing, joins the club with immediate effect.
The 93-cap centre left Brive last summer, having previously won the Prem with Leicester Tigers in 2022.
He was also a part of the Argentina side that defeated the British and Irish Lions in Dublin in June.
“With the high volume of injuries to our senior backs, we’re pleased to be able to bring in a player of Matías’ experience and quality to boost our backline options for the next few weeks,” said Lam.
“He is a proven international and a Gallagher PREM winner, who will provide excellent cover following the injuries to AJ MacGinty, Gabriel Ibitoye, James Williams, Noah Heward, Rich Lane, Louis Rees-Zammit – and Academy centres Joe Jenkins and Toby Baker.”
Bristol have also signed former scrum-half Oscar Lennon to provide cover at nine after the injuries to Randall and Wolstenholme.