Rees-Zammit feeling 'more comfortable' at full-back
Wales and Bristol back Louis Rees-Zammit says he is feeling "more comfortable" at full-back the more games he plays.
Wales and Bristol back Louis Rees-Zammit says he is feeling "more comfortable" at full-back the more games he plays after switching to the role this season. The 25-year-old began his career as a wing and started the season there after returning to rugby with the Bears, following a two-year break from the sport to play American football. But he moved to the 15 jersey in December and has since started five games for Bristol and all of Wales' Six Nations matches in the position.
"This is my first year playing there and I've probably played 10 games," Rees-Zammit said. "The more games I play I'll feel more comfortable, the more games I play at that position will only help me improve as a player. " Itoje, Ford, Rees-Zammit and Freeman return in Prem Rees-Zammit signs 'long-term' deal with Bristol 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.