Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit made the shock decision to quit rugby and pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL).

The day that Rees-Zammit made his shocking announcement, Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed his team for the upcoming Six Nations competition.

The 22-year-old had become one of the most promising young players in rugby, performing admirably for the British and Irish Lions, Gloucester, and Wales.

However, Rees-Zammit has chosen to abandon rugby in favour of a financially rewarding career in the National Football League of the United States.

This week, he will depart for Florida to start the “International Pathway Programme” (IPP), which enables athletes from other countries to pursue careers in the NFL.

The 32-time Wales cap winner Rees-Zammit said it was impossible to pass up the chance to pursue his NFL dream.

“I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted,” he said.

“Opting to step away from international rugby on the eve of the Six Nations has been a painstaking decision, but I am extremely excited to take up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue a new challenge.

“I believe that this is the right time for me to realise another professional goal of playing American football in the US. Those opportunities don’t come around very often.”

Rees-Zammit stated that he was not necessarily retiring from rugby, but he will not be playing in the upcoming Six Nations, which begins in February, and he does not currently have any plans to play club rugby again.

“Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby,” he said.

“At this age and stage of my life I am excited to explore a unique challenge that has the potential to diversify my skillset.”

Since the NFL season is currently in the post-season, Rees-Zammit would try to secure a spot on a team’s roster by the time the 2024 season begins in September.

“Louis is an exceptional athlete, with a dream to play in the NFL, and we look forward to supporting him on his journey in the program,” the NFL IPP said in a statement.

Five years ago, Christian Wade, a former England wing, made his way from the international pathway to the Buffalo Bills, where he never appeared in a regular season game.

“It’s a little bit of a shock,” Gatland said. “Things have happened pretty quickly in the last 24 hours.

“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.

“I wished him all the best. I’ve always been a great believer in players taking those opportunities that are presented for them. There is never a dull moment in Welsh rugby.”

Rees-Zammit, who was 20 years and 93 days old when he was called up for the 2021 tour to South Africa, became the youngest player to be selected for the British and Irish Lions since 1959. Rees-Zammit scored five tries during the World Cup last year.

He had played for Wales in the last three Six Nations tournaments, helping them win in 2021 with four tries.

Photo by EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER