One in, one out for Sale as Wales wing Regan Grace lands new deal

Sale Sharks have signed Wales wing Regan Grace on a short-term deal that will run until February.

The former rugby league star has been on trial with the Gallagher PREM outfit since September, starting on the wing in the recent PREM Cup victory over his former club Bath. He has been named on the bench to take on Exeter Chiefs on Friday in the Gallagher PREM – his first ever league appearance.

The signing is one of two deals at the CorpAcq Stadium, with hooker Will Austin leaving the club to join United Rugby Championship outfit Dragons on a short-term deal.

The 28-year-old Grace has admitted that the last few seasons “haven’t been an easy ride,” since moving to rugby union from St Helens in 2022, where he has failed to establish himself at Racing 92, Bath and Cardiff after overcoming a ruptured Achilles tendon.

With Sale wing Tom Roebuck breaking his toe on England duty, and full-back Joe Carpenter recovering from a long-term ankle injury, Grace will provide back three cover for the Sharks.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Sale

26 - 27

Full-time

Exeter Chiefs

All Stats and Data

“The last few years haven’t been an easy ride for me and I’ve had plenty of setbacks but I still love playing rugby,” the wing said.

“I had opportunities to go back into rugby league but I do feel like I haven’t shown what I can do in rugby union so I trained by myself and kept myself fit, waiting for a chance with a club.

“WillGriff John introduced me to Sale and It’s been brilliant to have a pre-season to learn the culture and get to know the lads. I’ve worked really hard and now I feel fit, strong and confident and I’m looking forward to playing over the next few months because I feel I’ve still got a lot to give.

“All the wingers at the club are fantastic players and I think we all bring something different. I want to show what I can do and bring the skills and strengths that make me the player I am.”

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Regan has got loads of experience. He’s played for Wales, he’s played in Grand Finals and scored loads of tries but since moving to union he hasn’t had a chance to prove his worth.

“He wanted to come in during pre-season and keep fit and stay sharp but he was such a good bloke and he’s such a good player that when we had a couple of injuries to Joe Carpenter and Tom Roebuck, and we needed someone with experience, who knew our systems, he was the obvious choice.

“He’s got brilliant feet, he’s so quick and I know there’s a real player in there. We’re very fortunate to have him.”