Louis Rees-zammit Returns to Wing Permanently for Bristol

louis rees-zammit is going back to the wing permanently after Pat Lam said the Bristol Bears player made the right decision to leave full-back. Lam said the switch will stick, ending a run of 12 appearances there for club and country since before Christmas.

Pat Lam and Louis Rees-Zammit

“We had a discussion, and he said that he’d like to go back on the wing,” Lam said. “Mate, it’s great.” He added: “Which jersey do you want?” and “All right, let’s see how you go,” describing the way he handles position talks with players who want a different role.

Lam was even blunter about why the change suits him. “Zam was really keen to play full-back, but the biggest thing is he loves to score tries and is a world-class try scorer. And what he quickly realised, he was a British Lion as a wing. He wants to be, again. He’s a world-class winger.”

Northampton Saints and the wing return

The timing matters because Rees-Zammit had already shown the move works. Two weeks ago, he scored in Bristol Bears’ 94-33 loss to Northampton Saints after moving back to the wing, ending a dry spell that had stretched back to December 6, when he crossed in the Champions Cup win over the Scarlets.

He has seven tries for Bristol Bears this season. That is the number Lam is leaning on as he narrows the discussion around where Rees-Zammit can do the most damage for Bristol.

AJ MacGinty and Bath

The Bears may also be close to a boost elsewhere. AJ MacGinty is back in full training after damaging his Achilles tendon in September, and he could be considered for selection for the local derby with Bath.

Tom Jordan is another option Bristol can use at full-back, but Lam’s call on Rees-Zammit leaves the winger spot settled again. For Bristol, the immediate change is simple: a player Lam described as a world-class winger will stay there, with full-back now an emergency cover role rather than a regular home.