George Skivington: Boss needs to 'assess' where Gloucester are after Wales winger leaves

George Skivington says he needs to "assess" where Gloucester are after the surprising departure of winger Louis Rees-Zammit to pursue a career in NFL.

The Wales international announced on Tuesday he was quitting rugby union to compete for a place in the American football international player pathway.

Rees-Zammit had spent his entire club career with the Cherry and Whites.

"It caught us a little off-guard," director of rugby Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Obviously Zam is a world-class player so it's not something I've planned for, not something I've got an instant answer as to where we go with it.

"But what I do know is Zam has been presented with an opportunity like that and it's such a unique opportunity you wouldn't want to block someone doing that, because I don't think you'd get the best version of that person if you tried to do that anyway."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he had also only heard the news on Tuesday morning.

Rees-Zammit, 22, has made 77 appearances for Gloucester, making his debut at the age of 18.

He has featured eight times this season since returning to the club from the World Cup with Wales, and scored in the win against Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup on Saturday in what would be his final appearance.

Rees-Zammit scored for Gloucester against Edinburgh in what would be his final appearance for the club

As one of the fastest and most exciting wingers in international rugby, Rees-Zammit has been a central part of Gloucester's attack.

His departure leaves Jonny May, Ollie Thorley and Alex Hearle as the Premiership club's only senior wingers, with full-back Santiago Carreras also able to play on the wing.

"The beauty is we've got a very talented back three, a very good back three and very comfortable. We've got some good young guys coming through.

"From that point of view I'll assess where we are now but we are blessed with a very talented back three and some good numbers in there, so it doesn't drastically change anything.

"Zam's been a big part of this club for a long time and there's a lot of headlines about Zam, so it will definitely be a change of narrative I'd say round the place.

"But the game changes, the game moves fast, so does all sports and this is a very unique one, that I don't think there's any manual to prepare you for this."

'A pure talent'

Rees-Zammit has been part of the Gloucester setup since the youth ranks, having swapped Cardiff Rugby for Hartpury College at the age of 16.

He told his Gloucester team-mates the news in person only an hour before the announcement was made public.

"[He was] very emotional, Gloucester means a lot to him," said number eight Zach Mercer.

"It's a big decision and I respect it massively. Rugby is a short career, life's short, and you've got to do what's best for you.

"I'm gutted to not have played that many games with him. He'll be a hell of an athlete wherever he goes, and he's a top bloke.

"As a club he'll be massively missed from the playing group, staff and the supporters, because he's a pure talent."