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Louis Rees-Zammit's hard work rewarded as Wales debut awaits in warm-up against France

Louis Rees-Zammit - GETTY
Louis Rees-Zammit - GETTY

Louis Rees-Zammit has developed the areas of his game required to make the step up to Test rugby ahead of his debut for Wales on Saturday, according to head coach Wayne Pivac.

The 19-year-old Gloucester wing has enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season for his club, scoring 13 tries in the Premiership and Champions Cup, and has now been named on the bench to face France this weekend, having first been called up in the spring for the Six Nations.

"We didn't think he was quite ready. There were some parts of his game to work on to play at Test level, which is different to club rugby. We know what he can do with the ball. What's he's got, you can't coach and he has genuine gas which we'll get to see on the weekend," Pivac said. "He's put the extra work in. We're talking about things which don't take a lot of work to tack on. It's work rate off the ball and popping up on inside shoulders.

"It's doing the work that the more experienced players do without thinking. He's worked hard on his game and his communication is better. He was outstanding in training on Thursday with his communication in the back-three. We think he's ready.

"These guys train all their lives and dream about playing for their countries. Their families will be very proud and it's just a shame they can't be there with them at the moment."

Rees-Zammit is joined by uncapped Ospreys hooker Sam Parry on the Wales bench. Alun Wyn Jones, the Wales captain, will win his 148th Test cap, equalling the world record set by Richie McCaw. Pivac added that Jones has struck up a bond with new call-up Shane Lewis-Hughes, the uncapped Cardiff Blues forward.

"He’s very excited at the moment, as he’s found a new guy in the training environment who reminds him of himself many years ago," Pivac explained. "He’s very excited to be training with young Shane Lewis-Hughes. He’s like a young Alun Wyn Jones. No nonsense, works hard, and those two have paired up in training and it’s great to see.

"We’ve not got enough time to say enough about what we think about Alun Wyn Jones. He’s not one that wants us to be talking about him at the moment – that’s how much of a team man he is. He’s a fantastic asset to this group."

Wales team

L Halfpenny; G North, J Davies, N Tompkins, J Adams; D Biggar, R Webb; R Carre, R Elias, S Lee, C Hill, A Wyn Jones (c), A Wainwright, J Tipuric, T Faletau

Replacements: S Parry*, N Smith, D Lewis, S Davies, Ja Davies, G Davies, R Patchell, L Rees-Zammit*

*=uncapped

France team

A Bouthier; T Thomas, V Vakatawa, G Fickou, V Rattez; R Ntamack, A Dupont; C Baille, J Marchand, M Haouas, B le Roux, P Willemse, G Cros, C Ollivon (c), G Alldritt

Replacements: C Chat, JB Gros, D Bamba, R Taofifenua, D Cretin, B Serin, A Vincent, T Ramos