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Why Gloucester had to move quickly to pen Rees-Zammit down to contract extension
Gloucester have been praised for tying 18-year-old winger Louis Rees-Zammit down to a long-term contract extension.
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This comes after growing speculation that the teenager may be involved in Wales’ upcoming Six Nations campaign in some capacity.
No sooner did the winger reveal his intentions to play for Wales, quashing any lingering English hopes that he may play under Eddie Jones, that there was a race on between Wales and Gloucester.
Had Wales capped Rees-Zammit before he was given a new contract, he would have needed to move back to Wales at the end of that deal in order to be available for selection, as he would have under 60 caps.
However, he can now wait until the end of his new contract before moving back to Wales, assuming he is capped during that period.
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This is what players like Josh Adams have done. He was uncapped when signing a deal for Worcester Warriors, but joined Cardiff Blues at the end of his contract.
However, there are fears that Gloucester may have taken the same approach as the Exeter Chiefs did with Tomas Francis, who simply extended his current contract last season rather than being given a new one, meaning he can play in England and still represent Wales despite having under 60 caps.
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Gloucester have been very savvy and very quick in signing Rees-Zammit up to a new long-term contract before he's capped by Wales.
It means he's eligible to play for Wales and still play for Gloucester for the duration of his contract – possibly longer depending on clauses.
— Haydn Davies (@haydn_davies) January 13, 2020
Well played, Gloucester…. #JustInTheNickOfTime https://t.co/5nYwNqkCAX
— Greeno (@MilldewOut) January 13, 2020
Such a smart extension for all involved. Means he can now stay at Gloucester for the next 5 or so years and still play for Wales. Had he not resigned before being announced in the Wales squad then he’d have to have left when his current deal runs out https://t.co/1CvEt1TqLx
— Xander Chevallier (@Xander_Chev) January 13, 2020
Had he not signed this new deal, it would have been bitterly disappointing for Gloucester to have lost a player of Rees-Zammit’s talents so soon after he burst onto the Premiership scene.
After brilliant December where the Wales under-18 international scored five tries and was named Gallagher Premiership player of the month, he brought his form into Europe last weekend, being named man of the match after a try in the victory over Montpellier.
Absolutely wonderful news!
Congratulations to those who negotiated this and to this young man who, in epic short time, has raced into loyal, passionate Glaws fans’ hearts & affection.???— Caroline Phillips (@CMEPhillips) January 13, 2020
Smart business by Gloucester before he gets capped – let’s hope Wales get full access to him around training camps etc
— Rich Tidy (@HalfTidy) January 13, 2020
In light of the former Cardiff Blues youth player’s showing at the weekend, Gloucester needed to be swift to secure his signature with the Six Nations only weeks away. It is no surprise that they have been commended for securing the future of one of their most promising players.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments