Alun Wyn Jones has revealed how Louis Rees-Zammit’s arrival in the Wales camp has taken him on a trip down musical memory lane.
Gloucester winger Rees-Zammit won’t turn 19 until the day after the opening Six Nations fixture against Italy at the Principality Stadium.
At just 18, he’s 16 years younger than the 34-year-old Jones, a fact not lost on the Wales captain.
“It’s funny. He was born 2001, so the first thing I did was see what Now CD came out then,” said the veteran Ospreys lock.
“I think it was Now 48. It’s amazing what memories songs can bring back when you look and remember where you were and what happens.
“That was an interesting one. A few of us more mature members of the squad had a conversation regarding it.”
So, what songs were on that NOW That’s What I Call Music CD, I ask?
“I did have a look,” said Jones. “I can’t remember off the top of my head.
“It wasn’t a good year, actually.
“I think Stronger by Britney Spears was on it.”
Jones is spot on in that respect. For the record, the compilation CD also featured such tunes as Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again, Hear Say’s Pure and Simple, Shaggy’s It Wasn’t Me and Can We Fix It by Bob the Builder!
As for what he’s making of having teen sensation Rees-Zammit on board, the skipper said: “It’s good to see him in there.
“He has played so well that you want to see him have an opportunity and hopefully he will get that.
“I have spoken to him briefly and said if he needs anything to come and find us.
“Being a father of a four year old and a two year old, you know what it’s like.
“I’m sure his parents will be worried about him. Even though he’s 18, he’s still their baby.
“But he’s a very assured young man, the way he carries himself, so I’m sure he will be fine.
"He’s raring to go in the jersey by the look of it.”
Speaking at the Six Nations launch at Tobacco Dock in Wapping, Wales coach Wayne Pivac also gave his thoughts on Rees-Zammit.
“Louis is a lovely young man,” he said.
“You realise how young he is when you sit and have a chat to him. We are not sure how much shaving he’s done so far at his tender age of 18!
“But we are more worried about what he does on the field.
“He’s got something you can’t coach. He’s got great pace at the top level of the game.
“He’s an exciting young player with a big future. Getting him into the environment now is going to be good for him to see where’s he at against some of the boys that have been representing Wales in the past, to measure himself against the best in the country.”
Try machine Rees-Zammit hobbled off with a leg problem during Gloucester’s Champions Cup game against Toulouse last Sunday and was later seen on crutches with ice strapped to his left calf.
But he has made good progress since then and was due to return to running in training with Wales on Wednesday.
