Overview

• Louis Rees-Zammit, a 22-year-old star of Wales’ national rugby team, has announced he is quitting rugby to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway.
• Rees-Zammit's decision was unexpected, as he is considered one of the most dynamic players in rugby and has not yet entered his prime in the sport.
• The Welsh player will spend 10 weeks in the IPP’s evaluation and training stage while learning the nuances of American football and gaining the chance to impress scouts.
• Rees-Zammit's decision has caused a stir in the Welsh sporting community, as he informed Wales head coach Warren Gatland of his move just an hour before Gatland was due to announce him as a member of the squad for the high-profile annual Six Nations competition.
• While some in the rugby community support Rees-Zammit's decision, others question whether he will be successful in American football due to the complexities of the sport and the competition from athletes who have been playing it for years.