Gloucester give 'rough guide' update on Louis Rees-Zammit injury

Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit appears increasingly unlikely to be fit for Wales’ opening Guinness Six Nations games against Ireland and Scotland. The Gallagher Premiership youngster suffered an ankle injury during his team’s defeat at Leicester on Christmas Eve.

While he is continuing to progress on the rehabilitation front, Ireland’s visit to Cardiff on February 4 looks too soon. “He is doing all right,” said Gloucester head coach George Skivington. “He will be available mid-Six Nations. That is a rough guide and not set in stone, though.”

Rees-Zammit has missed Gloucester’s last two Premiership fixtures and he will now sit out Heineken Champions Cup appointments with Leinster and Bordeaux-Begles. The back, who has won 22 caps, would be a major attacking weapon for Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

In charge of the Welsh for a second time, Gatland is due to name his Six Nations squad next week. While the back-three positions are not an area of weakness, given players like Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer and Alex Cuthbert are available, Rees-Zammit offers an additional try-scoring dimension for Wales.

After the Ireland match, Wales tackle Scotland at Murrayfield seven days later before hosting England on February 25.