England U20 star also chasing NFL dream as Rees-Zammit’s position set :

Louis Rees-Zammit is not the only rugby player trying to realise his NFL dream, with two others attempting to make it in the sport.

Ex-England U20 playmaker Harry Mallinder and former Connacht full-back Darragh Leader have joined the Welshman in signing up for the International Player Pathway Program.

Mallinder was very highly rated when he was coming through the system and was seen as a future star of the English game.

Age-grade success

The 27-year-old played a key role in the age-grade side winning the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship, starting at fly-half in a squad that included Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Will Stuart and Jack Willis.

He was arguably the star of that team but injuries soon took hold and wrecked his chances of making it in the senior game.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Mallinder told the Independent. “This is a fresh start.

“I think it is something I’ve always been fascinated by. Obviously, it was quite a long shot and there was no real opportunity there for a long time, but hearing about this, I thought why not give it a go.

“But I’m not just here to make up the numbers. While I want to enjoy every moment of this experience, I’m also here to make it happen. I want to make this my thing.”

Mallinder will attempt to make it as a kicker/punter having always had a long and accurate boot when playing for Northampton and England U20s.

“I just love kicking,” he said. “Since before I could walk, I kicked any type of balls that I could get my hands on. I love the pressure.

“I like it when it is dead quiet, or people are booing, or you can hear someone say, ‘you’re going to miss’. I love proving people wrong.

“About two weeks before the trial date, I ordered myself a replica ball off the internet and I had a couple of sessions on my own in a field full of cows.

“Then I went to the trials, and it was like being a kid again, going to a county trial or academy trial, where you don’t know anyone or what to expect. It went well.

“I like to think that at 27 I’ve had exposure to elite and high-performance environments but I’m at an age where I am young and have lots of energy. I think it is a great balance and a great time to give this a go.”

Leader, who represented Connacht between 2013 and 2020 and featured at U20 level for Ireland, will also be a kicker/punter.

Introducing the International Player Pathway Class of 2024!

Established in 2017, the league’s IPP program aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster. pic.twitter.com/rHM998TOlJ

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2024

Rees-Zammit’s position

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Rees-Zammit, whose move was more high profile, will try out at both running back and wide receiver.

Due to his sprinting talents, those were the obvious positions for the Wales star, and he will therefore attempt to make it on…