Louis faces race against time to make Six Nations
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT — the 18-year-old sensation called into Wales’s Six Nations squad last week — suffered an untimely ankle injury as Gloucester were knocked out of Europe. The teenager scored his 10th try in 11 matches this season after three minutes in Toulouse but was hurt twice in the first half. The second blow, after falling awkwardly, forced him off. Rees-Zammit was later seen on crutches and now faces a race to make Wales’s opening game against Italy on February 2. ‘He rolled his ankle,’ said coach Johan Ackermann. ‘We need to make a decision on whether we need to scan it and whether we do that or he leaves for Wales and they do it. He felt he couldn’t run on it. He can be proud of what he’s achieved so far and mustn’t let it get him down. ‘Whatever the outcome, he can build on what he’s achieved and opportunities will still come. Let’s hope it’s not too bad.’ Gloucester had to win with a bonus point to usurp Saracens and make the last eight, but saw Lloyd Evans, Alex Craig and Alex Seville sin-binned and were overpowered by Toulouse. Gloucester scored through Rees-Zammit and Jason Woodward but Joe Tekori, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille and Romain Ntamack, twice, produced Toulouse’s tries and full back Thomas Ramos kicked all of his conversions. Selevasio Tolofua received a yellow card but Toulouse now host Ulster in the quarters. Northampton made sure they would appear in their first quarter-final since 2016 with a fine comeback win against Lyon on Saturday. They were 17-5 down at half-time but won 36-24 thanks to Dan Biggar, who set up two late tries. The Wales No 10 said: ‘It’s great to be back in among the big boys. We’re fully aware we’re going to be second favourites against Exeter but it’s a great shot for us as a young team to give a good account of ourselves.’