Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has been named in the team of the year by leading French sports publication L’Equipe.
It caps a memorable 2021 for the 20-year-old Cardiff youngster who plays his club rugby in England for Gloucester.
He scored four tries during Wales’ Six Nations title triumph, including a truly spectacular solo effort in the victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
That blistering form earned him selection for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, where he touched down against both the Emirates Lions and the Sharks.
There was another scintillating chip and chase score for Wales versus Fiji during the autumn internationals as he again showed off his electrifying pace.
At the beginning of December, he was short-listed for World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year gong, along with All Black winger Will Jordan, Australia’s back-three starlet Andrew Kellaway and English fly-half Marcus Smith.
It was Jordan who took the prize and he also figures in L’Equipe’s team of the year.
But on the other wing is Rees-Zammit, who is Wales’ only representative in the select side.
New Zealand and France lead the way with four players each, while South Africa have three, with England and Australia joining Wales on one player.
L’Equipe 2021 rugby team of the year: 15. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand), 14. Will Jordan (New Zealand), 13. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand), 12. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), 11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), 10. Romain Ntamack (France), 9. Antoine Dupont (France), 1. Cyril Baille (France), 2. Julien Marchand (France), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 4. Maro Itoje (England), 5. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa), 7. Michael Hooper (Australia), 8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand).
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