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Louis Rees-Zammit has shrugged off his midweek training absence
By Liam Heagney
Louis Rees-Zammit is poised to make his second American football appearance on Saturday night after returning to Kansas City Chiefs training following a midweek absence. It was reported on Wednesday that the ex-Wales and Gloucester winger has sat out that day’s practice with a back injury.
However, his setback wasn’t serious and ahead of Saturday’s pre-season home game versus the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs website has been singing the praises of the 23-year-old who is fighting hard for inclusion on the club’s 53-man roster for next month’s start of the new NFL season.
Thursday was the 19th and final day of the Chiefs’ new-season training camp and in a piece titled ‘Five observations from Thursday’s practice’, one section was dedicated to what Rees-Zammit, the 2021 British and Irish Lions pick, did on his return to training.
Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen wrote: “Louis Rees-Zammit, who returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a back injury, wrapped up his first professional training camp by showing off his kicking skills.
“The Chiefs took part in two special teams segments during Thursday's ‘10-10-10’ practice and during both, Rees-Zammit was responsible for kick-off duties.
“Rees-Zammit handled seven kick-offs during the initial period before tallying four more kicks the second time around. Kicker Harrison Butker later took over when the Chiefs worked on their onside kick procedure a bit later.
“While Rees-Zammit showed off his leg, Kansas City specifically worked on the kick-off return scheme during the first special teams segment before practicing kick-off coverage as part of the second period.”
After Saturday’s game versus the Lions, the Chiefs will complete their pre-season schedule with another home warm-up against Chicago next Thursday before head coach Andy Reid confirms his NFL campaign roster.
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Ringrose starting is nothing short of a disgrace and a total blot on the game after his red card. In addition to Campese’s comments on another site regarding the ludicrous refusal to address the clearly illegal clear out of Dupont. And then Porter’s totally charmless comments about the incident. Come on Italy!!
Go to commentsGatland is talking nonsense re RWC. Wales need to be top 12 when that draw happens start of 2026. Wales are 12th now. Japan are 13th just 0.8 points behind. Wales play Japan 3 times before the draw (twice away summer, once home in Autumn). Other matches are Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa. Japan play Georgia (11th). The matches with Japan will decide if Wales are in the #2 ranking group or the #3 ranking group in draw.
Wales are closer to winning that faceoff under Sheratt than under Gatland. Is Gatland even aware of this imminent problem?
If you are in #2 ranking teams, you will get to the round of 16 and have a cut at making a QF or beyond. Your rankings will be solid after. If you are #3 you could be looking at being in a group with a top 6 team and a top 12 team like Scotland, Australia, Fiji, Italy, Georgia. Could be England or Argentina there too if Scotland get top 6.
If Wales don’t get out of their pool, their rankings will take a hammer blow and they will be looking at difficulty in getting a good draw even for 2031. Just ask Scotland: they are still suffering since 2019.
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