EXCLUSIVE - Eddie Jones on Louis Rees-Zammit's return to rugby

Japan head coach Eddie Jones believes returning Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit will quickly rediscover his best form on the Test match stage - but hopes it won't be in time for the Brave Blossoms' Autumn Nations Series fixture against Wales in Cardiff in November.

Jones previously tried to lure the then-Gloucester wing Zammit to play for England during his seven year spell as head coach at Twickenham but the Cardiff-born speedster rebuffed the Australian’s advances and was immediately fast-tracked into the Welsh setup by Wayne Pivac.

The 24-year-old, who recently said that Jones called him and asked about his eligibility and interest in representing England while appearing on the Stick To Rugby podcast, sensationally walked away from rugby union on the eve of the Six Nations last year to pursue a career in the NFL.

Following an 18-month spell in the gridiron and stints with SuperBowl winners Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2021 British & Irish Lions tourist announced his highly-anticipated return to rugby on his social media channels on 1 August.  

Picture courtesy of WRU

Jones, who was speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, shared his reaction to the news of 2021 Six Nations winner’s comeback.

“He’s a good player, he’s been mucking around in American football so he hasn’t done much for a long time,” Jones exclusively told RugbyJP.com.

“I’m sure for a quality player like him, it won’t take him long to get back to his best. And particularly the way the game is now, there’s great kick-return opportunities, he’ll come into his own.”

Wales ended their 18-game losing streak by defeating Japan in July having lost to the Brave Blossoms in the first Test of the Lipovitan D Challenge series.

New Wales head coach Steve Tandy’s side will host Japan on Saturday 15 November after opening their Autumn Series the previous Saturday against Honda Heat back-rower Pablo Matera’s Argentina.

The 32-times capped wing wizard is the hottest free agent in the game and an announcement about his next club is imminent with reports suggesting that Bristol Bears, Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Falcons) and Cardiff are among the front-runners.

Japan Rugby League One sides, who along with France’s Top 14 clubs, can offer the in-demand flyer the greatest financial package and a shorter season - running from December to June - while he would also remain eligible for his country as he meets the Welsh Rugby Union's 25-cap threshold for overseas players.

Kieran Crowley’s Honda, whose squad includes South Africa’s double World Cup winner Franco Mostert and Fiji international Tevita Ikanivere, were linked with a move for the Cardiff Rugby academy product by the Rugby Paper in January 2024.  

Ex-Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney’s Mitsubishi Dynaboars, who enticed Welsh great Shane Williams to Japan for three seasons from 2012-2015, are the only top-flight Japanese club with spots available for international Test players following the departure of Springboks star Kurt-Lee Arendse and ex-Wallabies international Curtis Rona.   

While interest in Rees-Zammit's services intensifies, Jones confirmed his unsuccessful attempt to lure the Welshman to wear the Red Rose.

“I tried to get him to play for England but he’s a good Welsh boy, he said no,” the 2017 World Rugby Coach of the Year told RugbyJP.

“I’ll be wishing he was still in the NFL if he plays against us,” Jones joked.

Ahead of the Autumn Series, Japan will feature in the Pacific Nations Cup and will open their campaign against Canada in Sendai on 30 August.

Stay tuned to RugbyJP for coverage of the Pacific Nations Cup and Autumn Nations Series