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Fans believe Twickenham is the ideal stage to give Rees-Zammit a Test debut
By Josh Raisey
Josh Adams’ Six Nations-ending ankle injury is a massive blow to Wales, but one which opens the door for the popular but uncapped Louis Rees-Zammit.
Adams was forced from the field in the loss to France last Saturday after an awkward tackle by Virimi Vakatawa, forcing centre Nick Tompkins to move to the wing.
Adams, the 24-cap winger, has scored ten tries in his past ten Wales outings, carrying his form at the World Cup into the Six Nations.
He will be sorely missed by Wayne Pivac, but Wales currently have a surfeit of wingers, certainly when compared to other positions on the field.
Having said that, Wales’ resources are beginning to be stretched out wide. Adams’ injury followed George North’s in the same match with the Ospreys wing being forced off early on after a head injury.
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Given the 27-year-old’s troubling history with concussion, he could well have a period on the sidelines, meaning two wingers are needed.
Johnny McNicholl is likely to be promoted from the bench to face England and Liam Williams is conveniently nearing a return to playing, but the calls for the 19-year-old Rees-Zammit to be selected have increased.
The Gloucester winger is unquestionably one of the form Welsh wingers currently, but Pivac would understandably have had reservations about giving him his first cap based on his age and inexperience, as well as the abundance of back three players Wales seem to have.
Cardiff Blues’ Owen Lane is still yet to make a return from a hamstring injury, and Williams may take a while to return to match fitness, meaning a starting berth could be beckoning for the teenager at Twickenham on March 7.
Scarlets’ Steff Evans is another option for Pivac if the Kiwi wants to ensure his wingers are completely fit.
Having lost two matches already this Six Nations, the chances of retaining the title look very slim. It’s why the trip to London is deemed to be the perfect opportunity to blood young players into the international game.
England are not easy opponents for a first Test cap, but many in Wales feel Gloucester sensation Rees-Zammit warrants a place in the matchday 23 regardless of his age. This sudden spate of injuries looks like helping his debut to happen.
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Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
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