Tonight's rugby news as Rees-Zammit reveals Travis Kelce texts and youth international dies in car accident

Your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 9.

Rees-Zammit reveals text from Chiefs stars

Louis Rees-Zammit has revealed that Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes texted him after joining the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 23-year-old Welshman has penned a three-year deal with the Super Bowl champions after quitting rugby in January. Rees-Zammit appeared as a guest on The Rugby Pod this week, and was interviewed by former Scotland star Jim Hamilton and Wales legend Dan Biggar.

Discussing his arrival to the franchise, he explained that he was "blown away" by the facilities and "it just felt like you are going to win" when he walked into the training centre.

Hamilton jokingly asked whether Taylor Swift's boyfriend and Chiefs tight end Kelce "held open the door" for Rees-Zammit's red carpet arrival, and the Welshman confirmed he had been in contact with some of the club's biggest stars.

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"To be fair, Pat and Travis have messaged me," said Rees-Zammit.

Biggar jibed back immediately: "Hang on! We're not letting him get away with calling him Pat! Not a chance!"

Mahomes is Chiefs' biggest star on the field and is a three-time Most Valuable Player. He is also one of the best-paid players in American football, with a recent contract adjustment ensuring he will take home more than £160million between 2023 and 2026.

Rees-Zammit continued: "Yeah, he's my best mate now! Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce just saying: 'Welcome to KC. If I ever need anything then let me know.'"

Hamilton simply exclaimed: "F*****g hell!"

Biggar added: "My Mrs wants a couple of tickets to Taylor Swift in the summer, so if that could be the first request!"

You can listen to this episode of The Rugby Pod by clicking here.

Rugby player dies in car accident

Netherlands U20s player Joey Buskens has died aged 20.

The full-back represented Albi in southern France, in the French third division of rugby. Albi wrote on Facebook that he passed away after a car accident at the weekend.

A statement read: "Our Espoirs team has learned of the disappearance of one of its players in a terrible traffic accident in Albi this weekend. In the face of this tragedy, our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones, as well as his team-mates. The entire Sporting Club Albigeois also extends its full support to the other victims of this accident, as well as to their families and relatives."

Rugby Netherlands also went on to issue their own statement. It read: "Yesterday we received the sad news that Joey Buskens died in an accident at the age of 20. Joey played for the Dutch Men’s U20 Team and for the French SC Albi. He was in all youth selections from the U16 level and played the U18 and U20 European Championships. Last fall he won the U20 European Championship.

"Joey started playing rugby as a youth player at Rugby Club Bulldogs (Almere) and later played at Rugby Club ‘t Gooi (Naarden). From here he made the move to France; he played 2 seasons at Stade Aurillacois and the current season at Sporting Club Albigeois.

"Rugby Netherlands wishes his family, loved ones, (rugby) friends, team-mates and staff a lot of strength with this immense loss."

The news comes amid another death in rugby, as 21-year-old Welshman Gabriel Holt died suddenly. Read about that here.

Welsh rugby stars hit Marbella

Scarlets' young stars recently jetted off to Marbella.

Ospreys were the only Welsh region in action in Europe, with the rest of the sides being knocked out in the group stages. Therefore, players enjoyed some time off from the game, especially after a busy Six Nations campaign.

Taine Plumtree posted some snaps from the holiday, with fellow young Wales internationals involved. Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd could be seen out on boats, enjoying walks on the beach and having some chilled out time away from the game in Wales.

Scarlets have a tough run-in from now until the end of the season, facing Edinburgh Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Ulster, Zebre and Dragons RFC on Judgement Day at Cardiff City Stadium.

Former All Black coach pens permanent England deal

Former All Blacks coach Andrew Strawbridge has joined England on a permanent basis after initially joining in a temporary role.

Along with Steve Borthwick, Strawbridge helped guide England to a third-placed finish at the Rugby World Cup in France last year as an assistant coach. Now that he has joined Borthwick's set-up permanently, he will now be involved in England's upcoming summer Test against Japan and New Zealand.

England coach and rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield will leave his role at the end of the summer, so Strawbridge is a welcome addition to Borthwick's backroom staff.

Borthwick said: "Andrew made a huge impression during the time he spent with us at this year’s Six Nations. From the moment he walked into the environment I was hugely impressed with his attention to detail, the clarity of his coaching philosophy and the different perspectives he has on the game.

"His extensive coaching experience in Super Rugby and the international arena, as well as his expertise in player development, complements our existing coaching group well."