LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT WAS already one of the most rapid rugby players on the planet, so the fact that he has got even faster this year should be cause for concern for his Six Nations opponents.
The Wales wing, who turned 21 yesterday, score a stunning try from deep inside his own half for Gloucester in the Premiership last weekend as he tuned up for this Saturday’s clash with Ireland, who are well aware of the threat coming their way.
Speaking today, Rees-Zammit revealed that he has been recording quicker times than ever on the pitch this season, having worked hard on his sprinting technique with Gloucester’s head of performance, Dan Tobin – who previously ran the 400m for Ireland – and his athletic development team.
“We’ve got a GPS device on the back of our shirts and that measures everything in terms of speed,” said Rees-Zammit.
“One day I’ll be quicker than the other, so I know I’m getting faster. I’ve got a speed performance coach at Gloucester and we work on it every day.
“We’ve been doing loads of drills that will help me and it has been showing – I’ve actually been getting quicker which is always good.”
Ireland will aim to limit the opportunities Rees-Zammit has to get up towards top speed on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, of course.
He scored against them in Cardiff last year, finishing sharply in the corner past Tadhg Furlong, and they have been watching plenty of footage of the young wing in recent times, including his long-range score for Gloucester last weekend.
“I did,” said Ireland centre Garry Ringrose with a smile when asked if he had seen it.
“You have to be on red alert not just if you’re in front of him but if you’re five or six guys away from him because his ability to beat defenders is exceptional and you have to be on red alert.
“Any kicks put in will have to be spot on because if you give him and the back three space and time, his try says it all about what they’re capable of.”
Heading into his second Six Nations, Rees-Zammit will have been scouted in more depth than last time around. That comes with the territory after five tries in his first 12 Wales caps and being part of the Lions tour last summer.
He appreciates that he needs to keep adding strings to his bow.
“It will be hard to beat [last year], but at the same time I don’t want the second-year syndrome,” said Rees-Zammit.
“I’ve been working hard on my game, and I’m really looking forward to the Six Nations.
“I’m the same old person, really, I’ve just got a bit more experience under my belt from the last Six Nations and then the Lions tour.
“People will [have scouted him], but I have to try and do more so they can’t know everything about me which is what I kind of work on in training.
“They might know a lot about me and the way I play, but hopefully I can do things they won’t know.”
Serious atmosphere here in Cavan. This is exactly where you want to be playing the All Ireland Champions. Whatever the result these games against the top 4 will stand to us in the summer months
It’s exactly the gate the county board needed as well
Mind blowing that people would actually travel to watch that rubbish sport.
@Ordinary lad: the much “hyped” Irish Rugby team lost yesterday. How much money do those lads earn?
Mind blowing that someone would take the time to open an article about a sport they consider to be ‘rubbish’ and then take the time to comment on it.
How can a team that receives €120k in funding compete against a team that receives €1.4million
Hahaha give over Al . Deep down you love the gaa
@Alan b..: Sure all the money we’ll be spending here we’ll double that funding for you pal ;)
a decent workout so far get rid of the Jamaican rum and redstripe against another nordie team who’s sole intention is to pull drag and hit off the ball.
Don’t know what game your watching. The hits off the ball have been 50:50.
Eh cavan is in the south of Ireland Einstein
fergal reilly should count himself lucky to share a pitch with these wonderful dublin footballers instead of going around like a drunk at a wedding looking for a fight.
That was stared by the Dublin man on the ground. You’re incredibly anti ulster football
And then mdma was the first man to get involved.
And who look for a figth at a wedding
ah lorcan stop it now.
fergal reilly would.
it’s north of me ya tit
@Alan b..: that explains why the dubs were late they looked at a map and headed north. When did this geographical transplant take place.
don’t be a tit like alan cavan play in ulster which is up north so they are nordies.
Cavan is not in Northern Ireland you don’t cross the border or use sterling
I didn’t say it was in Northern Ireland .
What do you mean by nordie then?if you are calling them that cos they’re north of you does that mean someone from cork would class Dublin as a nordie team
if they wanted to yes beacuse they would be northern to a Cork person now cavan is in ulster and part of the Republic of Ireland beacuse the brits didn’t want the kip so yes you are nordies which we where stuck with.
Stop you’re just embarrassing yourself
What part of Dublin are you from?
what difference does it make?
cavan play in the ulster champions with the other 8 nordie counties it’s no big deal just accept it is the way it is don’t be embarrassed alan.
All the complaints about dublins fans. Have any other county brought a few thousand fans with them today ?
@Gavin Byrne: In comparison Dublin have a fan base of about 10 times what other counties have. So of course they will bring large numbers with them.
Fair play today they really brought a fantastic atmosphere and plenty of money to Cavan town today
That a few time in the last three years the cavan has been delayed because of the fans.
If the dubs can’t make it to croke park on time how do you expect them to make it to cavan on time
@Lorcán Coyle: Should know by now that nothing in Cavan ever starts on time, nearest fifteen minutes, sure that’ll do.!!!
Ref jersey looks too like Dubs
We’ll save that excuse for later
Massive achievement if Roscommon can some how stay up in Division 1.
Lorcan are u watching the match