Louis Rees-Zammit set to join rugby’s rebel league as two current British and Irish Lions also targeted

The reason behind Louis Rees-Zammit’s decision to make a sudden return to the sport has become clear with a report linking him to rugby’s rebel league.

It was announced by the Welshman late on Thursday that he would be ending his NFL dream and heading back to the 15-a-side code.

Rees-Zammit has already been linked with a return to the Premiership, with Bristol Bears thought to be keen to sign the 24-year-old.

There was also contractual obligation that stated he must notify Gloucester when deciding to return to rugby, automatically putting the Cherry and Whites in the mix.

Rees-Zammit’s plans

According to the Daily Mail, the speedster will sign a 12-month club contract before joining the R360 league, which is being fronted by England Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall.

“I mean, I obviously can’t name teams, but we’ve had a load of interest, which is unbelievable,” Rees-Zammit told Sky Sports on Friday. “You know, I’m very grateful for that. We’re still going through what the full plan is for me.

“Obviously the season starts pretty soon. So it’s about finding the right team for me in terms of location, in terms of how quick I’ve got to get into camp.

‘All of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish, and because the season’s right around the corner, so all of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish.

“So me and my brother are going through negotiations and seeing teams interested, which is amazing. So we should find out in the next week or so.”

Louis Rees-Zammit gives timeframe on announcement of his new rugby club after a ‘load of interest’

R360 is planning to start next year with eight franchises based across the world, including in London, Toyko, Dubai, Cape Town and Miami.

They have targeted some of the best players in the world, reportedly offering up to $1m (£740,000) for a competition that will initially run from September to December 2026 with just eight games to begin with.

Should it be confirmed, Rees-Zammit would be a high-profile addition for the rebel league, with the Mail stating that he sees it as “an exciting global project.”

The Wales wing will probably be joined by other international stars with the likes of England’s Henry Slade and George Ford being heavily linked.

Two British and Irish Lions on the radar

Meanwhile, Rees-Zammit’s fellow Welshman, Jac Morgan, is also being tracked by R360, according to RugbyPass, with just a year left on his Ospreys contract.

Morgan has starred on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia and would be a coup for the Tindall-fronted competition.

However, they will face a fight for his signature from the Top 14 when his deal expires at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Fellow Lions tourist Fin Smith is also in the last year of his contract at Northampton Saints and is reportedly another big target for R360 having enjoyed an outstanding couple of seasons for club and country.

READ MORE: Louis Rees-Zammit in sudden NFL departure as Wales star ‘decides’ to make rugby return