Rees-Zammit omitted from the Wales squad ahead of Six Nations clash against England

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Gloucester star Louis Rees-Zammit has been dropped for Wales’ Six Nations match with England this weekend.

The 21-year-old has been a staple in the Welsh setup after his breakout season last year and immediately got a call up that autumn.

Many have speculated the ankle injury he sustained before the Ireland game is the reason for his omission but nothing was mentioned of the injury in relation to his exclusion.

All of Rees-Zammit’s learning of the international game has had to come thick and fast, only playing for Wales in the last 18 months.

With that being said, his adaptation to play a different way than the style that saw him burst on the scene has not been as promising.

The style in which Wayne Pivac’s team has played so far this tournament has benefited the inside ball and a strong kick-chase is reliant on a strong defence.

This is not the style in which Pivac teams have played in recent years hence why Rees-Zammit had such a meteoric rise to the Welsh squad.

Now that the teams’ direction has taken a change, his game needs to adapt also.

The chances being created are nowhere near close to the chances created from the previous Six Nations team. Unfortunately, a malleable style is needed for him to play in games of this magnitude. 

Alex Cuthbert and Josh Adams are expected to make the starting 15 and Jonathan Davies is expected to be the only non half-back to make the bench.

The experience and the defensive prowess that comes with that selection is the best Pivac can produce when wanting to play a more physical game against England.

In particular with the high-ball and the kicking game, this is an area that Rees-Zammit is not known for and why he was omitted from the squad. 

As much as the decision at first appears a shock, to the people who have a vested interest in the Premiership, it is not a shock.

The form in which Rees-Zammit played to get his first Wales call up is form of the past. His game has not been as explosive as it was last season.

When what you are known for in the game you are no longer doing to the same standard, some people high-up are going to start wondering whether or not there is a better option to pick.

That is what this is for Rees-Zammit but it is not the end of his Wales time for sure.

As for now, he knows that first-team rugby is not dead-set for him, which is probably needed. To learn to continue pushing is what every young professional needs to learn.

This can be the little knockback that could send him on another strong path going forward.

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