Regan Grace to start for new PREM club against former side

Wales international Regan Grace will line up for Sale Sharks in the PREM Cup this weekend as he continues his bid to establish himself in rugby union.

Grace, an addition that caught many off guard, is set to face Bath one of the clubs he passed through during an injury-hit return to the 15-a-side game.

It’s been a stubbornly tricky transition to date.

Since leaving St Helens in 2022, he has spent time at Racing 92, Bath and Cardiff Rugby. Each stint has been disrupted by setbacks that stalled his progress.

Sale are the latest side to take a look at him, offering another trial period as he tries to finally settle and earn a long-term contract in the game he grew up playing.

The Port Talbort-born winger has played just seven games since switching back to rugby union in 2022, one of those a try-scoring non-Test debut for Wales against the Queensland Reds.

His move to Alex Sanderson’s side comes despite persistent rumours that he was being lined up for a Super League return in 2026.

Newly-promoted York Knights were reported to have identified Grace as a potential marquee addition should they reach the top flight, and speculation linking him with a switch back to league gathered pace over the summer. However, reporting from Love Rugby League last month suggested he was more likely to remain in union.

His involvement with Sale Sharks this weekend suggests those reports are on the money.

The 5’11, 82kg flyer’s pace and finishing ability were never in doubt in his league career; he won a Super League title and became one of St Helens’ most reliable strike runners. The question has always been whether he can stay fit long enough in union to convince a top-flight club to back him.

Sale Sharks: 15. Alex Wills, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Osian Roberts, 12. Joe Bedlow, 11. Reagan Grace, 10Ollie Davies, 9. Dom Hanson, 8. Reuben Logan, 7. Tristan Woodman, 6. Jos Gilmore, 5. Tom Burrow, 4. Patrick Hogg, 3. James Harper, 2. Ethan Caine, 1. Tumy Onasanya.

Replacements: 16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Ralph McEachran, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Huw Davies, 20. Seb Kelly, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Toby Wilson, 23. Albert Bradshaw.