REES-ZAMMIT INJURY SCARE FOR WALES
Wales have been handed a major Six Nations scare with teenage sensation Louis Rees-Zammit picking up a worrying injury.
The 18-year-old Gloucester winger limped off just before half-time during Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Toulouse at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
Gloucester last night revealed the youngster has an ankle injury but did not yet know the implications of the injury.
The club’s head coach Johan Ackermann said: “The extent of the injury we still have to determine and that will take a few hours to settle and they will probably make a decision.
“I’m not sure what the protocol is, will we have to look at it first or does he have to leave for Wales tomorrow and they will have to look at it?
“Obviously he had to leave, he couldn’t run on it.
“That’s the nature of the game. He can be proud of what he’s achieved so far and he mustn’t let that get him down.
“We’ve all been in that situation in the past where you’re close to something big and an injury comes around but that’s part of his growth now. Whatever the outcome, he can build on what he’s achieved and opportunities will still come.
“Let’s hope it’s not too bad and he can still – if need be – contribute there.”
He went down for treatment with a problem to his left leg and, when he got to his feet, he winced when he tried to put pressure on his foot and subsequently had to admit defeat.
He hobbled off and was later seen on crutches with an ice pack strapped to his left calf as he headed down the tunnel.
There will now be obvious concern over his well-being, with Wales’ opening Six Nations fixture against Italy less than two weeks away.
The game had started so well for Rees-Zammit, as he celebrated his call-up to Wayne Pivac’s Championship squad last week with an early try after just three minutes of play.
He collected a cross-kick from fullback Jason Woodward and scooted over in the right corner for yet another touchdown to add to his growing list.
The young Cardiffian had been seen as a genuine candidate to win his first cap against Italy, but now he faces an anxious wait to determine the extent of the injury he has suffered.
Having started his youth career with Cardiff Blues, he moved to Hartpury College and from there to the academy of Gloucester Rugby, breaking into the Gloucester senior team this season and becoming the club’s youngest ever Premiership player.
He scored two tries against Worcester during a 36-3 win in December 2019 and later the same month became the first 18-year-old to score a hat-trick of tries during a 33-26 loss to Northampton.
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