Louis Rees-Zammit's switch to NFL was a bit of shock - Warren Gatland

Wales head coach Warren Gatland admitted that the news on Louis Rees-Zammit’s decision to move to the NFL was a bit of a shock.

Gatland had to leave out the former Gloucester winger from the Six Nations as he expressed his desire to to join the NFL international player pathway.

The 22-year-old was granted an early release from Gloucester after playing 77 times for them since his professional rugby debut in 2018. He was also capped 32 times for Wales and was named in the squad for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

“It’s a little bit of a shock,” he said.

“Gloucester had contacted us and I spoke to George Skivington (Gloucester head coach) about 12. Things have happened pretty quickly in the last 24 hours.

“Louis said he had an approach on Sunday to go and do a training camp with the NFL. It is something he has always dreamed of having the opportunity to do.

“He slept on it on Monday and went to Gloucester, didn’t really think too much of it in terms of whether it would go ahead. He was told by his lawyers not to tell anyone.

“The paperwork has been agreed and signed and Gloucester have agreed to release him. He rang me to let me know and give me that information, say thanks very much for his time at the World Cup and how he enjoyed it.

“He feels that if he doesn’t take that opportunity now, it might not happen again in the future."

Gatland also revealed that Rees-Zammit will make a return back to the rugby union if his move to the NFL did not go as planned.

“I wished him all the best. I’ve always been a great believer in players taking those opportunities that are presented for them.

“I said if it doesn’t work out, what are your next steps? He said he would come back to rugby.

“He just feels there is an opportunity for him and a time to do that. There is never a dull moment in Welsh rugby. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster in the last couple of hours. From my point of view, I want to wish Louis all the best. I honestly hope it all works out for him.”