Wales rugby star Rees-Zammit makes shock NFL switch
Wales rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit made the shock decision to leave the sport on Tuesday as he targets the "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity of a career in American football. Rees-Zammit's bombshell move came on the day Wales head coach Warren Gatland unveiled his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations tournament. The 22-year-old had emerged as one of rugby's brightest young talents, excelling for Gloucester, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. But Rees-Zammit has opted to turn his back on rugby in favour of a potentially lucrative career in America's National Football League. He will leave for Florida this week to begin the 'International Pathway Program' that allows athletes based outside the United States to forge a career in the NFL. Rees-Zammit, who has been capped 32 times for Wales, said the opportunity to chase his NFL dream was too good to turn down. "I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I've never taken for granted," he said. "Opting to step away from international rugby on the eve of the Six Nations has been a painstaking decision, but I am extremely excited to take up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue a new challenge." Rees-Zammit claimed he was not necessarily retiring from rugby, but he will miss the Six Nations, which starts in February, and has no plans to return to club rugby in the short-term. (AFP)