Rees-Zammit played every minute of Wales’ Six Nations campaign but saw questions raised over his best position
Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has given his stance on Louis Rees-Zammit’s future at full-back and revealed the demand he made to the Wales international as he prepares to return from Six Nations duty.
Rees-Zammit played every minute of Wales’ championship campaign in the 15 jersey, having been moved into the position by Lam following his return to rugby with Bristol earlier this season. He ended the Six Nations with the most metres made of any player in the tournament, but didn’t get on the scoresheet once, with fans questioning whether he would prove more effective back on the wing.
However, Lam says he “100 per cent” sees the 25-year-old’s future at full-back, revealing that he has spoken to Wales head coach Steve Tandy about him following the tournament’s conclusion.
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While he admitted his decision to move Rees-Zammit has been questioned, the Bears director of rugby said his player was “getting more comfortable” in the position, with Tandy able to provide some useful feedback about his progress.
“Zam’s just getting more and more comfortable at full-back,” said Lam. “Yes, 100 per cent, I see him in that position.
“I had a good chat with Steve Tandy on Tuesday, who gave me some good feedback on what they were working on with him.
“A lot of people try to tell me, I don’t know what I’m doing over. So, I don’t tend to worry about it.”
Lam will be without Rees-Zammit, as well as fellow Six Nations stars Ellis Genge and Tom Jordan, for his side’s trip to Leicester Tigers this weekend, having sent the trio on holiday to rest and recover following a busy international campaign.
The Wales star is set to make his return to club action at the Principality Stadium later this month, as Bristol take on Harlequins in Cardiff for their ‘Big Day Out’ on March 28.
For now, Rees-Zammit is spending time in Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer and former athlete Drew Knotts, having taken heed of Lam’s one demand: “Stay out of the Middle East.”
Explaining the importance of his players taking a break, the Bristol boss said: “I’ve been there as a player at international level, and it’s not just the physical load, it’s the mental load of day in day out hotels, being away from families, coming and going.
“So, I just said get away and be with your loved ones. Then, as they come back, we’ll get a fresher, better vision of those three players. I told them to go straight on holiday after their international matches.
“But stay away from the Middle East, obviously. You know, next week, we’ve got a short turnaround. We got our big day out. They’ll be back for that. But everyone else has been focusing on Leicester.”
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