Louis Rees-Zammit returned from a two-month injury absence to inspire Gloucester to a crucial 28-26 win over play-off rivals Harlequins at Kingsholm on Friday night.
In a thrilling contest that saw both sides score try-bonus points, Gloucester overtook the London-based side in the league table to propel them back in the play-off places.
Tries from Seb Blake, Ollie Thorley, Santiago Carreras were enough to put the hosts ahead, before the returning Rees-Zammit put the game to bed with a soaring solo finish that sent the home fans into pandemonium.
The welsh starlet almost scored a try of the season contender with his first-touch off the bench earlier on in the second-half, but his sensational individual effort was chalked off after his foot was found to have brushed the touchline in the act of grounding the ball.
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After briefly appearing early on in the first-half as a HIA replacement for Thorley, the 22 year-old entered proceedings with the game in the balance, before setting the ground alight with multiple displays of his searing pace and sharp footwork that reminded everyone just how valuable he is to the Cherry and Whites.
Indeed, George Skivington was consigned to the fact that his star man would not be around Kingsholm for long, with Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland more than likely to recall the winger for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations clash against England in Cardiff.
With Wales currently rooted to the bottom of the table with no points from their opening two games, the contest with an out of form England has quickly become vital for both sides.
For Gatland, the possibility of having his x-factor player back in contention will provide the dejected Wales side with a much needed confidence boost…as if they needed anymore motivation than the prospect of hosting the old enemy at the Principality stadium in a must win game.
