Rees-Zammit raring to impress in first NFL trial

BRADENTON, United States — Wales and British Lions rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit says it was "horrible" to leave rugby behind but is in confident mood ahead of the first hurdle in his attempt to find an NFL team — a trial in front of team scouts on March 20.

Rees-Zammit stunned the rugby world when he announced in January that he was quitting the game to join the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

Now along with 10 other international members of the program, who have been living and training at the IMG Academy near Tampa, Rees-Zammit will have to show how much he has learned when he takes part in a 'Pro Day' at the nearby University of South Florida.