03 February 2024 , 08:00
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Louis Rees-Zammit has been told by Chris Ashton that it could take years for him to adapt to the NFL - speaking from personal experience.
The Welshman stunned the rugby world by quitting Gloucester and Wales to cross the Atlantic and try his hand at American Football, opting to go through the NFL's International Player Pathway. Rees-Zammit is the latest rugby player to attempt to crack the sport, with few success stories.
He's began his training but Ashton, who opted to swap rugby league for rugby union in 2007, concedes it took him years to adapt to the small changes. He became a huge success at club and international level, but consciously had to think about his decisions with little coming naturally.
Rees-Zammit is embarking on an even tougher change with rugby's two codes enjoying many similarities. A switch to NFL though, other than the shape of the ball, have little in common beyond the contact element.
Ashton told Gambling Zone: "I was shocked when I heard the announcement that Rees-Zammit was going to the NFL . I completely understand his reasons for wanting to give it a try, especially at his age, because he is still so young. He can get out there and have a real go at it and, if it doesn’t happen for him then he knows that he will be able to come back to the game because there will be a queue of clubs wanting to sign him."
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He added: "It will be a massive challenge for him. I did something slightly similar when I went from Rugby League to Rugby Union. It took me years to get going in the sport and find my way in the game. Only because I had never played Rugby Union as a kid. I only played Rugby League, so I had no understanding of the game whatsoever.
"Both games are played with the same ball but that is where the similarities end. They are totally different games. It took me a long time in Rugby Union to not have to consciously think about the game; to play instinctively. It took me two years to get an understanding of it and only then could I put my personality and ability into the game."
Chris Ashton became a success after swapping league for union (David Rogers/Getty Images)Rees-Zammit has become a big hit at a young age, being selected for the British and Irish Lions in 2021. He had been tipped for a lucrative move to France or Japan come the summer, but his left-field decision came out of nowhere.
The Welshman was keen to underline in a statement that he wasn't retiring from rugby and could return to the sport in the future, where he would no doubt have a queue of teams keen on his signature such is his talent. His age profile also means he can spend several years trying to crack the NFL before heading back to rugby, should he wish.
Philadelphia Eagles' offensive tackle Jordan Maliata is the greatest success story of the International Pathway. Transitioning from Rugby League in Australia to become a Pro Bowler Stateside.
Christian Wade, formerly of Wasps, now at Racing 92, was a Premiership star who tried to turn his hand at NFL, being drafted by the Buffalo Bills. He scored a touchdown on his pre-season debut but failed to make it into the main squad.