Speed king Louis Rees-Zammit is on fire as he inspires Wales to victory against Scotland

Speed king Louis Rees-Zammit is on fire as he inspires Wales to victory against Scotland to set up clash with Gloucester team-mate and England star Jonny May

  • Louis Rees-Zammit is relishing the prospect of facing England wing Jonny May 
  • Rees-Zammit used his speed to great effect as he helped Wales beat Scotland
  • The 20-year-old is set for a classic head-to-head with his Gloucester team-mate 

Louis Rees-Zammit scored two tries to secure a second consecutive win for Wales and set up a classic head-to-head in a fortnight with Gloucester team-mate Jonny May.

At Kingsholm, Rees-Zammit once clocked 22.59mph during a sprint, just shy of England wing May’s record of 23.46mph.

‘It should be a good show,’ said Rees-Zammit after he had won Wales the game against Scotland with his third try in two weeks, a spectacular chip-and-chase score in which he out-paced Stuart Hogg.

The speedy Louis Rees-Zammit was in excellent form as he helped Wales beat Scotland 25-24

Rees-Zammit is relishing the prospect of facing England's Jonny May, his Gloucster team-mate

Rees-Zammit is relishing the prospect of facing England’s Jonny May, his Gloucster team-mate

‘I’m sure Jonny will say he’s excited to play against me, and I’m the same. I train with him every day, and learn a lot from him. It’s going to be interesting to actually play against him. I did in the autumn but he wasn’t the opposite wing. It’s a bit different this time.’

After their muddling 2020 Wales are now two wins from two and ready for the off-colour English with key men like George North and Josh Adams ready to return.

There are distinct shades of their 2019 Grand Slam about the opening to this tournament. Then they produced a stunning comeback against the French, complete with slices of luck, to kick off their challenge which echoed Saturday’s Murrayfield win.

Two years ago it was a North double, this time it was Rees- Zammit who struck twice. His first came after quick hands from Nick Tompkins and Liam Williams but his second was spectacular.

‘I was calling for the ball nice and early as I saw there was a lot of space on the outside,’ he explained.

‘Thankfully Willis Halaholo gave it to me. I tried to use my gas to get on the outside of their wing. I did that and then saw there was no backfield cover. It gives you that opportunity to put it through and try to get the bounce. It bounced up lovely for me.’

Rees-Zammit even set up Williams for his try too, just to complete his super show. ‘That was very special. It means so much to me and my family,’ he added. ‘I turned on my phone for a split second, and it is going mad!’

The 20-year-old scored two tries and took the opportunity to exploit Scotland's weaknesses

The 20-year-old scored two tries and took the opportunity to exploit Scotland’s weaknesses

At 20 years old, there is more to come from the man they call Rees-Lightning. ‘I’d heard a lot about him and seen a lot of highlights,’ said captain Alun Wyn Jones. ‘Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg. I want him to continue in a similar vein.’

The wing’s first call-up came this time last year and he admits he was not ready. ‘I didn’t play but in training I was blowing after five minutes,’ he said. ‘I’ve worked with the strength and conditioners and am a lot fitter now.’

Wales were 17-3 down at one stage on Saturday after Darcy Graham and Hogg scored tries, but Rees-Zammit’s first gave them a lifeline before half-time.

MATCH FACTS 

SCOTLAND: Hogg 8; Graham 7.5 (Nel 57min, 6), Harris 6.5, Lang 6 (Jones 71), Van der Merwe 7; Russell 7, Price, 7; Sutherland 6.5 (Kebble 68), Turner 7 (Cherry 68), Z Fagerson 4; Cummings 6.5, Thomson 5 (Graham 23, 7; R Gray 57, 5), Watson 7, M Fagerson 7. Subs not used: Steele, Van der Walt.

Sent off: Z Fagerson (54).

WALES: Halfpenny 6 (Halaholo 33, 7); Rees-Zammit 9, Watkin 6, Tompkins 6.5, L Williams 7; Biggar 4 (Sheedy 49, 7), G Davies 4.5 (Hardy 49, 7); W Jones 8.5 (R Jones 78), Owens 7.5 (Dee 71) Francis 7 (Brown 62, 7); Beard 7.5, AW Jones 6 (Rowlands 71); Wainwright 5 (Botham 62, 6), Tipuric 7.5, Faletau 6.

Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng) 6.

Early in the second half Zander Fagerson was sent off, the second red against Wales in consecutive weeks after Peter O’Mahony’s for the Irish.

‘It’s obviously a massive help playing against 14,’ said Rees-Zammit. ‘But when a team goes to 14 men it brings them closer, so it’s a lot harder to break them down. In the past two games we have managed to grind out that win in the last couple of minutes.’

So can the Welsh start dreaming now? ‘Well, no not yet,’ said Rees-Zammit. ‘We’ve got a massive game against England and have Italy and France away. They are going to be two big Tests. It helps getting the first two wins, but by no means does that win you the trophy.’