As a poster boy of world rugby, Rees-Zammit’s return to the Six Nations is not only a boost for Wales, but for fans and media alike.
“I try to not focus on that,” Rees-Zammit said.
“Everything that I’ve had off the field has come from my skills in rugby, and obviously going to America brought a new audience, but it’s all about performance.
“You’ve got Henry Pollock going through the same thing, he’s burst on to the scene and is playing unbelievably.”
And while England’s Pollock ruffles a few feathers, Rees-Zammit believes it is for the good of the game.
“You’ve got to try and bring your personality out when it comes to rugby, because a lot of it gets shut down,” he added.
“Henry is doing a great job of bringing his personality to the game and we need more people like that, it’ll just grow the sport.
“He obviously gets stick for it, and I got stick for it when I was younger, but you just go through it.”
You can watch Sarra Elgan’s Six Nations 2026 Preview at 19:00 on Wednesday, 4 February on BBC One Wales and iPlayer.
Wainwright’s family were in the stands when he won his first cap in Wales’ historic 13-12 win against South Africa in Bloemfontein – the only time the men’s national team has won a game against the Springboks on their soil.
The prop from Prestatyn, then with Saracens after earning a move from Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), helped win a scrum penalty that set up field position for Josh Adams’ late try that was converted by Gareth Anscombe.
Wainwright was able to celebrate with his father, who was instrumental on his rise to Test level.
“He was a huge influence,” said the prop. “We were best friends and he did everything with me.
“He was one of the biggest support networks for me and when I got the call-up I thought about him a lot, it was quite emotional.
“We’d speak about everything and he’d watch every game. When I was at the Scarlets he would tell me what to pick up on after every game.
“He was unbelievable for me and that’s why getting this call up was a bit emotional for me. He would have been proud of me – 1,000%.”
A former rugby league player and a construction worker, Shaun ensured that Sam was able to give RGC his full attention.
“I told him I wanted to follow his route and have the rugby alongside it, but he would never let me do it,” said Wainwright, whose exploits earned a chance with Saracens in 2019.
“He said ‘I do this, not you – you just focus on the rugby’. I was part-time at RGC and got a wage, but my dad just told me to eat and sleep rugby.”
The government will announce a cap on ground rents paid by leaseholders in England and Wales on Tuesday morning, the BBC understands.
Labour’s 2024 election manifesto promised to “tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges”.
However, there had been suggestions the government could retreat from its pledge due to concern about the potential impact on pension funds.
The government has not yet confirmed where it will set the cap, but campaigners have said they believe £250 a year is likely.
Earlier this month, former Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had urged the government to stick to its manifesto pledge on ground rents.
There are around five million leasehold homes in England and Wales, where people own the right to occupy a property via a lease for a limited number of years from a freeholder.
Leaseholds is the default tenure for privately-owned flats, and the Land Registry estimates that 99% of flat sales in 2024 in England were leasehold.
Ground rents were abolished for most new residential leasehold properties in England and Wales in 2022, but remain for existing leasehold homes.
The English Housing Survey has estimated that in 2023/24, leasehold owner-occupiers reported paying a median annual ground rent of £120 a year.
In 2024, when Labour were in opposition, the current Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said his preference was for ground rents to be capped at effectively zero.
Recent reports have suggested that the Treasury and the housing department have been at loggerheads over the issue, with concerns over how a cap would impact pension funds which own freeholds.
Last week, former Labour minister Justin Madders told the BBC that the prime minister could face a “mass rebellion” if the government abandoned its pledge on a ground rent cap.
He said setting the limit at a peppercorn rate would be his preferred choice but that he could accept a £250 cap due to the “risk of elongated legal challenge”.
A spokesperson for the Residential Freehold Association has previously said that capping ground rents “would be an unprecedented and unjustified interference with existing property rights, which would seriously damage investor confidence in the UK housing market”.
Harry Scoffin, founder of the Free Leaseholders campaign group, has said: “At the election, Labour promised to end the feudal leasehold system and if they backtrack on reducing ground rates to a peppercorn or zero financial value they’re not ending the leasehold scam.”
FORGET everything you know about holiday parks – as a new age of caravans could change them entirely.
Caravan holidays have been a popular, and low cost, alternative to holidays abroad, for the last 100 years.
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The new caravan designs last decades longer than standard designsCredit: WNSHe said they feel more like luxury hotel roomsCredit: WNSThey are also more insulated so can be stayed in all year roundCredit: WNS
Yet new designs could change the design of them, with many having not changed in decades.
Welsh designer Craig Ledwards has revealed his own creations, likening to them a luxury hotel room instead.
He told local media: “Caravans haven’t changed over the past 70 years.
“They’re exactly the same style as they’ve always been – no insulation so there’s always condensation in it, smell damp, and the layout is the same.
“But this is totally different, it’s open-plan living. It feels like you’re entering a luxury hotel room.”
Like hotels, guests can access them using key cards which are then slotted in for the electricity.
Inside are marble bathrooms and projectors in the ceiling, as well as full glass walls.
Small balconies are also part of the outdoor space, as well as a rooftop window for stargazing while inside.
He has already introduced them to north Wales last year.
He added: “It’s as far away from a static caravan as you can get – the only thing that’s the same is the size, we’ve designed it to be the same size so it can replace an old one without having to change the footprint or service connections.”
Each one, costing around £35,000 to build, is fully insulated so they can be stayed in all year round.
Not only that, but he says they have a lifespan of 50 years – much longer than standard caravans which is between 15 and 20 years.
They have been met with some skepticism, however.
Some have said that the all-glass models may not retain heat during the colder months, even if well insulated.
And a National Caravan Council spokesperson said: “New designs such as ones imported from China may appeal to a niche audience, drawn to contemporary styling and different layouts,” they said.
“But widespread appeal will depend on how well they meet the expectations of the UK holiday park market, the access to spare parts, the availability of reliable and timely after-sales service and those who are responsible for licensing their use.”
SWANSEA is getting a massive revamp and new plans for its ‘waterfront district’ have now been revealed.
Renders show off what the Swansea Civic Centre area could look like in a matter of years with plans for a saltwater lido and even a pier.
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Ambitious development plans for the Civic Centre site in Swansea have been revealedCredit: Swansea CouncilIn a matter of years, the waterfront area could completely transformCredit: Alamy
Plans created by Urban Splash, a regeneration company, include the addition of new waterfront cafes, bars, beach sports shops and even what appears to be a new pier.
Other attractions will be an aquarium and a new saltwater lido – which will be a first for the city.
The plans have been developed by Urban Splash which was appointed by Swansea Council as part of a 20‑year regeneration partnership covering key sites around the city.
The company has described the ‘waterfront district’ as being a place “where the city truly meets the beach”.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “These emerging proposals for the Civic Centre mark another important chapter in Swansea’s ongoing regeneration story.
“This site has the potential to become a vibrant new focal point on our waterfront, bringing together homes, leisure, culture and public spaces in a way that complements the huge investment already transforming our city.
“By reimagining how this area can be used, we can support local jobs, boost our economy and create new opportunities for residents and visitors.
The plans are not final and have been released ahead of a public consultation at the end of the month where residents will get a chance to give feedback.
Other areas around the city set to be regenerated by Urban Splash include the Hafod Copperworks and Porth Copr.
Urban Splash initiatives, including the unveiling last autumn, of plans for a riverside site in St Thomas.
In autumn, the company revealed its plans for the riverside site in St Thomas where it plans to build a six-storey building, as well as a central green street, shared gardens and improved river walkways.
The waterfront area of Swansea isn’t the only part of the city getting a new look as revamped Castle Square is expected to be completed by late 2026.
Work began in summer 2025 to transform the square with much more usable public space along with new cafes with shaded areas for families.
Work is currently going ahead to transform Castle SquareCredit: Unknown
There will be new water jets with mini-fountains from the paved area which will take the place of the popular water features.
On another level is a viewing platform across the square, along with a large screen showing live sporting events.
Below will be a bandstand-style stage with a large screen for public events, new seating areas and upgraded paving.
These works form a wider part of the regeneration project in Swansea costing £1billion.
