Louis Rees-Zammit has quit rugby to take a shot at making it in the NFL.
The Gloucester wing announced his decision to leave rugby as Wales were preparing to release their squad for the Six Nations.
Rees-Zammit’s shock revelation eclipsed events in Cardiff, where an apparently nonplussed Warren Gatland insisted he had only just learned of the developments himself.
The 22-year-old Rees-Zammit will leave Gloucester with immediate effect, and head to Miami this week.
The 32-cap Wales wing will take a place on the International Player Pathway (IPP), a crash course from which he will bid for a place in the NFL.
Rees-Zammit’s Gloucester contract was due to expire this summer, and he could have committed his future to the Cherry and Whites for up to £300,000 a year.
The speed king could have more than doubled his money by heading to France or Japan, and even have kept on playing for Wales.
Instead, now he will roll the dice on making it big in the US, in a sport that has often proved unforgiving for potential rugby converts.
“Opting to step away from international rugby on the eve of the Six Nations has been a painstaking decision, but I am extremely excited to take up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Rees-Zammit.
“My immense gratitude also goes to Gloucester, a club that is extremely close to my heart, and particularly George Skivington and Alex Brown, for allowing me to head in a different direction over the next few weeks.”
Rees-Zammit insisted his move does not represent him hanging up his rugby boots.
“Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby,” said Rees-Zammit.
“This is about my ambition to make my dream come true and play in the NFL.
“As a little boy my dad always brought me up to be a big NFL fan and growing up he used to play American football, so it’s to continue his legacy and hopefully go beyond and make him proud.”
Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins has become Wales’ second-youngest captain, with boss Gatland naming four uncapped players in his 34-man squad.
Rees-Zammit’s announcement delayed Wales’ squad release, leaving head coach Gatland off guard.
“It’s a little bit of a shock,” said Gatland.
“He rang me to let me know and give me that information, say thanks very much for his time at the World Cup and how he enjoyed it.
“I wished him all the best. I honestly hope it all works out for him.”
WALES SIX NATIONS SQUAD: Forwards: C Domachowski, K Mathias, G Thomas, E Dee, R Elias, E Lloyd, K Assiratti, L Brown, A Griffin, A Beard, D Jenkins, W Rowlands, T Williams, T Basham, J Botham, A Mann, M Martin, T Reffell, A Wainwright. Backs: G Davies, K Hardy, T Williams, S Costelow, L Lloyd, M Grady, G North, J Roberts, N Tompkins, O Watkin, J Adams, R Dyer, T Rogers, C Winnett.
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