Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

Louis Rees-Zammit signs with modelling agency amid fight to regain Wales place

Gloucester coach George Skivington insists he has no issue with Welsh superstar Louis Rees-Zammit signing with a modelling agency.

The flying winger, who has been referred to as Welsh rugby's latest poster boy, was dropped from the side last week after some quiet performances against Ireland and Scotland.

He was sent back to his club side with a list of aspects of his game to work-on and Skivington insists his reaction has been exemplary.

Today it was announced that the 21-year-old has signed with London-based modelling agency Milk Management.

And the Gloucester boss is not concerned at all.

Read next: The latest Six Nations headlines are here.

"I’d be jealous if anything," laughed Skivington.

"I don’t think things like that really matter. I’m not one for trying to make everyone the same and we’ve all got to be head boys and well behaved.

"There is obviously a line you can’t cross, but I’d rather have characters in our squad who have things going on. It makes for some banter and good stories.

"As long as you turn up and train hard each day and give everything at the weekend, I’m more than happy for a player to do whatever they want on the side as long as it doesn’t bring the club into any trouble.

"If he can do some modelling, then good luck to him. That’s something so far out of my remit it’s a conversation I wouldn’t even have with him."

The flying winger's bread and butter, though, is rugby and he's got some work to do.

His non-selection for the match against England last weekend was a shock, despite the first two games of the championship largely passing him by.

Skivington himself was surprised to be getting Rees-Zammit back last week and he played around 50 minutes for Gloucester against Leicester just as Wales kicked off at Twickenham.

"He was obviously very disappointed. The fact it was England as well is doubly disappointing," said Skivington.

"From his point of view, it's probably his first big, proper setback but he's digested why it's happened, the feedback he's had.

"He's been brilliant in training, he's had a real energy around the place. I expect he'll learn a huge amount from this and he'll be even more driven than he was before."

All the suggestions so far have been that Pivac wants to see more from Rees-Zammit in terms of his work off the ball.

As Skivington points out, when he gets an opportunity, he can do things that not many others can with his electric speed.

But there is a sense that he has some areas to tidy up, particularly in defence.

"Zam is obviously a super talent who can do things other people can’t. Some of that is natural and some of it is where he’s put his energy," explained Skivington.

"Obviously, there is a lot to the modern game for a winger, even down to chasing high balls and smashing people when they catch the high ball. That’s become a crucial part of being a winger in the modern game with the way it is right now.

"I think Zam is very honest about it and there are other bits and pieces where his energy has very much been focused on ball-in-hand and having those huge moments.

"Not many people can do what he can do, but he has to try and knuckle down on those other bits and pieces. There is nothing drastic to be honest with you and we haven’t had any massive feedback on one area in particular.

"It’s more ‘Let’s hammer the less frilly bits and the X Factor bits sit on top of that'.

"He’s been smacking a lot of breakdowns this week, doing kick chases, and working on all the bits that aren’t necessarily why you became a winger at school.

"He’s more than capable of doing all those things and it’s a minor setback in his career I think."

Last week, Pivac stated his desire to have the likes of Rees-Zammit and Bristol's Callum Sheedy playing their domestic rugby in Wales.

It would mean that the Wales boss would have access to those players for entire campaigns instead of having to release them back to their clubs during fallow weeks, for example.

Skivington understands his perspective but is obviously pleased with the status quo.

"My personal view would be that it’s good for him [Rees-Zammit] playing in the Premiership because it’s tough and very sharp every week," he said.

"I understand Wayne’s perspective, especially in a week like this when there is a short turnaround to an international game and it makes his preparation a little bit more tricky.

"It depends on what side of the fence – or bridge – you’re sitting on I suppose."

To get the latest rugby news and analysis, sign up for our Welsh rugby newsletter.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.