Welsh Rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit has announced his immediate departure from professional rugby to pursue a career in the NFL. 

The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in rugby, and as such, his departure for the NFL came as a major shock to the rugby community. 

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Explaining his decision, LZR, in conjunction with his club Gloucester Rugby, released a statement saying, “Gloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life. From the start at Hartpury College and my first professional rugby contract with Gloucester in 2020 to my Wales and Lions caps, the club has been central to my development as a player, and I’m so grateful for their support. 

“I will always be very proud of my time at Kingsholm and want to particularly thank the incredible fans who make the club so special. Also, to my teammates, to George Skivington and Alex Brown, thank you for giving me such special memories and for supporting this next stage of my career. 

“I have had the incredible honor of playing rugby for my country, which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted. However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realize another professional goal of playing American football in the (United States). Those opportunities don’t come around very often.” 

Gloucester Chief Executive Officer Alex Brown said: “We understand the size of the opportunity before Zam and his lifelong ambition to play in the NFL. 

“Whilst we are naturally sad to see him leave, ultimately, we are not able to dissuade him from taking an opportunity of this magnitude with the NFL. 

“We remain very proud of the role Gloucester Rugby has played in helping to develop him into the world-class player he has become, and we wish him the very best in the (United States). He will always be welcome at Kingsholm.” 

Rees-Zammit will join the NFL player pathway program in a bid to make it onto one of the 32 NFL rosters.

Rugby Players In The NFL

While Rees-Zammit certainly is the most notable and talented rugby player to give the NFL a try, he's not the first. And he'll have to be pretty good to be the best. 

One of the best offensive linemen in the NFL is a former rugby player. Australian Jordan Mailata, a Pro Bowl alternate in 2022, signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. He helped the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023. 

Mailata, 6-foot-8, 364 pounds, played professional rugby in Australia for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

How To Watch Louis Rees-Zammit Rugby Matches

In the United States, FloRugby is the streaming provider for the of the EPCR Challenge Cup and also has streamed several Wales Rugby games. 

How To Watch The Six Nations Rugby Championship

The Six Nations Rugby Championship will be broadcast on NBC Sports in the United States and a variety of different networks across Europe. Games will stream on NBC's app Peacock. 

How To Watch The U20 Six Nations Rugby Tournament

The U20 Six Nations tournament, which begins Feb. 2, can be streamed on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. 

Match replays and highlights will be on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

How To Watch The Women's Six Nations Tournament

In March, the 2024 Women's Six Nations tournament also will stream on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. 

Six Nations Betting Odds

While Ireland went 5-0 and completed the Grand Slam in 2023, according to a collection of betting sites, including Draft Kings and Fan Duel, France is the betting favorite to win the Six Nations, followed by Ireland and England. 

Six Nations Fixtures 2024: Here’s The Six Nations Schedule

Here is the schedule for the Six Nations:

Six Nations 2024 Round 1 Fixtures:

• Feb. 2: France vs. Ireland, 3 p.m. EST, Marseille, France 
• Feb. 3: Italy vs. England, 9:15 a.m. EST, Rome
• Feb. 3: Wales vs. Scotland, 11:45 a.m. EST, Cardiff, Wales

Six Nations 2024 Round 2 Fixtures

• Feb. 10: Scotland vs. France, 9:15 a.m., Edinburgh, Scotland
• Feb. 10: England vs. Wales, 11:45 a.m., London
• Feb. 11: Ireland vs. Italy, 10 a.m., Dublin

Six Nations 2024 Round 3 Fixtures

• Feb. 24: Ireland vs. Wales, 9:15 a.m., Aviva Stadium, Dublin
• Feb. 24: Scotland vs. England, 11:45 a.m., Edinburgh, Scotland
• Feb. 25: France vs. Italy, 10 a.m., Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France

Six Nations 2024 Round 4 Fixtures

• March 9: Italy vs. Scotland, 9: 15 a.m., Rome
• March 9: England vs. Ireland, 11:45 a.m., London
• March 10: Wales vs. France, 11 a.m., Cardiff, Wales

Six Nations 2024 Round 5 Fixtures

• March 16: Wales vs. Italy, 10:15 a.m., Cardiff, Wales
• March 16: Ireland vs. Scotland, 12:45 p.m. Dublin
• March 16: France vs. England, 4 p.m., Décines-Charpieu, France

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