Reeszammit eyes place in Lions squad,
WING star Louis Rees-zammit looks nailed on for a place on the plane to South Africa this summer with the British and Irish Lions, and if his meteoric rise continues at the pace it has in the last 18-months he could well find himself a Test starter come July.
At club level, the Welsh winger has been knocking on the door of Gloucester’s attack coach Alex King to make sure the game doesn’t pass him by.
Speaking after the 35-24 victory over Newcastle Falcons last time out, where the 20-year-old scorched his way to another stunning try for his increasingly impressive highlights reel, Reeszammit said: “I sat down with Kingy at the start of the week because I definitely didn’t get my hands on the ball as much as I would have liked to against Sale.
“We sat down and looked at how I could get my hands on the ball a lot more, and thankfully that happened.
“Whenever I get the ball I try and do something to change the game - that is the standard I set for myself and hopefully when I do something we create a try, or a penalty, something positive.
“Our Gloucester identity is to create as many chances as possible, be physical and just score a lot of tries.”
Rees-zammit, who helped Wales to the 2021 Guinness Six Nations title, said he has grown in confidence after starring at international level, scoring five tries in nine games since his debut against France in the Autumn.
He said: “When you are playing against the best teams and the best players in the country it gives you a bit of confidence to try things.
“I want to try and get as many touches as I can and create something, but at the end of the day as long we are winning I am happy.”
Lions head coach Warren Gatland will name his 36-man squad for this summer’s tour at 12.30pm today (Thursday).
Cherry and Whites centre Chris Harris and winger Jonny May are also in contention for a place in the squad with 50 players privately notified they have made the shortlist.
Gloucester head coach George Skivington said: “I hope there will be as many as possible from Gloucester in there. Anyone who gets on that tour and represents Gloucester will be brilliant.
“Anyone who gets on the Lions tour, it is a phenomenal achievement and they will enjoy it and come back a better player.
“All credit to Zam, a lot of people are talking about him and the Lions but there has been no mention of it from him, he is fully focused on Gloucester and Northampton at the weekend.
“He is very focused and very driven and works very hard on all areas of his game, especially those which don’t come naturally to him.”
Discussing Scottish centre Harris, Skivington said: “I think you will be hard to find a better defensive 13 than Chris. He reads the game so well.
“I thought in the Six Nations he was one of the standout players so from my point of view he has done enough, and week to week in the Premiership he is always one of the best players on the pitch.”
I hope there will be as many as possible from Gloucester in there. Anyone who gets on that tour and represents Gloucester will be brilliant
George Skivington, head coach