The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees hosts Lawrence Dallaglio, Thomas Shanklin, and Katy Daley-Mclean sit down with Louis Rees-Zammit for a rapid-fire, globe-trotting episode packed with personal reflections, jaw-dropping transitions, and untold stories from both sides.
Rees-Zammit kicks things off with quickfire questions before opening up on his early love for football, his obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, and the American football influence he soaked up at home thanks to his dad. He reveals the moment he was told he’d never play for Wales after leaving Cardiff Blues — and how he proved everyone wrong by making his Test debut just years later.
He relives his proudest moment in a Wales jersey, what it meant to finally play in front of Welsh fans, and doesn’t shy away from the team’s recent struggles. There’s Lions chat too — from the surreal COVID tour that “felt like training games” to passing the torch (and mascot duties) on to Pollock.
Then it’s all eyes on the NFL. Rees-Zammit shares how he knew it was time to make the leap, the brutal reality of trying to make it in the States, and how it felt getting picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. He reveals the physical toll of NFL training (rugby players beware), reflects on the massive life decision he faced at 22, and the inspiration he took from Travis Clayton. Oh — and there’s a surprise letter from Taylor Swift.
Finally, he answers the big question: could a return to rugby still be on the cards? And what has he come to love most about life in America?
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