Louis Rees-Zammit has revealed the exact moment he came crashing down to earth for the first time after initially breaking through to the top tier of international rugby at such a young age.

The Welsh star became Gloucester’s youngest-ever English Premiership player at 18 years and 70 days, and later became the youngest-ever hat-trick try scorer, before breaking numerous other domestic and European records over the next few months.

International honours followed soon after, before a British and Irish Lions call-up signalled the next stage of his rugby evolution. Despite impressive performances in the warm-up matches, the then 20-year-old star failed to gain selection in the Test side, however, which left him with a sour taste in his mouth.

“I was playing my best rugby then”

Speaking to former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar on The Rugby Pod, Rees-Zammit reflected on the disappointment from almost five years ago.

“I didn’t get a Test, and, like, I was top try scorer in the Six Nations that year. So I was a bit gutted, but at the same time, like I was on the Lions tour,” he said.

“I just felt like I was playing my best rugby then. I got picked at such a young age, but I wanted to play as well. So that was probably the first moment [I was humbled], because I was playing pretty well and we won the Six Nations as well, like I wanted to play, and then I’m not playing.

“I was playing for club and country, starting every game. And then you go on a Lions tour. Obviously, it’s much more competitive, but then they’re like, ‘no you’re not even playing for what, three, three weeks, three, four weeks in the Test matches’.”

Asked how he’d deal with the rejection now, Rees-Zammit continued: “I was obviously very frustrated, and I probably made it known as well. But now I think you’ve just got to focus on what’s next, to be honest.

“Careers are too short to get frustrated over little things when you’ve got to look at a bigger picture, and you’ve got to see what’s next. And that was going back to my club, restarting, playing well, trying to get into the national team again, playing well for your country.

“I left before the next Lions in Australia. But now I’m back, hopefully I can go on another one.”

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“I enjoy playing 15 the most”

Initially being employed as a winger by Gloucester and Wales, the 25-year-old has moved to full-back for club and country, much to the player’s pleasure.

“I enjoy playing 15 the most, purely because I feel like you’ve got so much freedom,” he told his former teammate.

“When we’re attacking, I’m never having to worry about going out on the wing; I’m always able to roam wherever the 10 goes. I’m kind of following plays, you just get so much freedom.

“When you get the ball in the backfield, that transition, that counter-attack ability. I’m the first one to get the ball. So I can try and make a play, or create something. I think that’s where the role of 15 is playing well for me, really.”

There are very few more exciting sights in world rugby than Rees-Zammit with acres of space in front of him. The crowd noise goes up as the anticipation for what’s next comes through in waves. But what goes through his head when he receives the ball?

“My first mentality is to score, and if I don’t score, the next thing is to break the line,” Rees-Zammit explained.

“If I don’t break the line, I want to set up wherever I can, which is best for the team. So, whenever I get my hands on a ball, I want to create something and help the team.”

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The full-back has played every minute of Wales’ 2026 Six Nations matches so far, but has yet to cross the try-line, despite leading the stats with a remarkable 292 metres made from 37 carries.

His defence has come under scrutiny, however, having missed 12 tackles, averaging four per match. This has been redeemed somewhat due to his 12 defenders beaten and his impressive defensive clearing kicks.

Wales are yet to record a Six Nations win since March 11, 2023, when they took victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico. In fact, Wales have remarkably won just two of their last 23 Six Nations matches.

Rees-Zammit, alongside the likes of Jac Morgan and Rhys Carré, lead the hopes of a nation to return their side to their former glory.

READ MORE: Springbok star has a ‘mountain to climb’ while All Black legend crosses the try-line again