Louis Rees-Zammit’s move back to the wing is set to stay, with Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam saying the 25-year-old made the right call after a spell at full-back. Lam said the change came after a discussion with the Wales back, and that the winger’s return to his preferred shirt has already paid off.
Rees-Zammit scored in Bristol’s 94-33 loss to Northampton Saints two weeks ago after switching back out wide, his first try since December 6, when he crossed in the Champions Cup win over the Scarlets. He has now scored seven tries for the Bears this season, a return that Lam believes underlines why the club see him as a winger first and a full-back only when needed.
“We had a discussion, and he said that he’d like to go back on the wing,” Lam said. “Mate, it’s great. Which jersey do you want? All right, let’s see how you go.” The coach said Bristol “create space for their wingers” and added that Rees-Zammit “would be a world-class winger who can play full-back.” Rees-Zammit, 25, had played 12 times for club and country at full-back since before Christmas, but Lam said the player had made clear where he wanted to settle. “Look, Pat, I really want to try playing at full-back,” Lam said of the conversation, while also saying Rees-Zammit wanted to be a world-class winger who could cover the position behind him.
The shift matters now because Bristol are still trying to find their best attacking balance while key players return from injury. AJ MacGinty is back in full training after damaging his Achilles tendon in Bristol’s first Gallagher PREM game of the season against Leicester Tigers in September, and Lam will consider him for selection for the local derby with Bath. If MacGinty is picked, Tom Jordan could move back to full-back after starting the season there before taking over the playmaker role.
That creates a simple choice for Lam, but it is not a small one. Rees-Zammit’s best rugby for Bristol this season has come on the wing, and the club’s leading decision-maker has now said out loud what the form suggested two weeks ago: the move back was not a trial run, but the place where the line breaks and finishing instincts of a seven-try season make the most sense. With MacGinty pushing for a return, Bristol may soon have to decide whether to keep the back line settled or reshuffle again for the derby with Bath.
