Louis Rees-Zammit: Bristol and Wales back feeling ‘more comfortable’ at full-back

Rees-Zammit is set to return to Wales’ Principality Stadium on Saturday when Bristol take on Harlequins, having swapped their home in Ashton Gate for their second showpiece outing at the ground.

He has played at full-back before – making one start for former club Gloucester and three for Wales there – and says he will play wherever the coach wants to play him going forward.

“Both Pat [Lam, Bristol director of rugby] and Steve [Tandy, Wales head coach] have said at the start of the season that they want me to play full-back so that’s the plan for now,” he said.

“It’s very interchangeable now playing full-back and wing – in terms of long-term future, I’m happy for either.”

Bristol’s fast-paced, aggressive, running-rugby style was cited as a big part of why Rees-Zammit joined the club and he has already extended his initial deal to stay beyond this season.

He said the way the Prem club play allows him to “get a lot of touches” on the ball which was starting to creep into Wales’ style, particularly during the win over Italy in their final Six Nations game.

“You’ve seen that a bit more in the Italy game, I thought I got a lot more touches, a bit more space, so I’m loving playing full-back,” Rees-Zammit said.

“I really enjoy it, it allows me to have a lot of freedom.

“Playing here [at Bristol] especially, the boys are real good in terms of giving me ball in space and that’s when I can be effective.”

When Rees-Zammit returned to rugby he said he felt “faster” than he was when he left the sport in 2024 and he insisted that now the initial “rusty phase” has been shaken off he is “excited” to see what he can do.

“I’m only 25 so I wouldn’t say I’ve even hit my prime in my career yet,” he said.

“I’m still learning off my team-mates, off the coaches, trying to get better every day in training. Whatever it takes to become one of the best players in the world – which is my goal – I’m going to continue to do every day.”