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Surprise Wales call-up for uncapped wing Regan Grace

Regan Grace of Bath Rugby looks on after a Bath Rugby training session at Farleigh House on March 20, 2024 in Bath, England. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)
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Wales have made a surprise selection by calling up former rugby league star Regan Grace to their summer squad. Grace, who switched codes in 2022, has yet to make his competitive rugby union debut due to Achilles injuries.

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The 27-year-old is replacing Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, sidelined with a groin injury.

England-based Grace will miss the upcoming match against South Africa at Twickenham as it falls outside World Rugby’s international window.

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However, he is set to make his professional union debut in the two-Test series against Australia in July.

Prop Henry Thomas is also out for the Springboks game, with Keiron Assiratti stepping in and Harri O’Connor joining the bench.

Wales will announce their final 34-man squad for the Australian tour following the Springboks Test.

Grace had a stellar rugby league career with St Helens, winning three Super League Grand Finals and the Challenge Cup. After announcing his switch to union in 2022, a ruptured Achilles and subsequent relapse prevented him from playing for Racing 92.

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He joined Bath in February and featured in two friendlies in March.

With Josh Adams rested, Wales’ back three options for the summer series include Liam Williams, Cameron Winnett, Rio Dyer, Jacob Beetham, Josh Hathaway, and Mason Grady, who will start at center against the Springboks.

Wales XV to face South Africa

15. Cameron Winnett
14. Liam Williams
13. Owen Watkin
12. Mason Grady
11. Rio Dyer
10. Sam Costelow
9. Ellis Bevan
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Dewi Lake
3. Keiron Assiratti
4. Matthew Screech
5. Ben Carter
6. Taine Plumtree
7. James Botham
8. Aaron Wainwright

Replacements

16. Evan Lloyd
17. Kemsley Mathias
18. Harri O’Connor
19. James Ratti
20. Mackenzie Martin
21. Gareth Davies
22. Eddie James
23. Jacob Beetham

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LlanwernBoy22 1 hour ago
Why the Welsh ex-pat contingent should give Steve Tandy hope

MO is right to draw attention to how our exiles can give us a lift. Noticable that Dewi Lake’s accuracy has improved at Glaws re the lineout. I’d love to see us develop along the lines of French rugby and allow our number 9, Tomos, to dictate play given the relative inexperience of our 10’s. The need to cross the gain line and deliver front foot ball, should dictate that Eddie James reverts to his club role at 12, with a temptation to field a back row of Morgan, Wainwright and James to compensate for lack of ball carrying impetus at 4 and 5. Although short in height (relatively) it could provide an all field threat on the lines of Savea and Sititi or Weiss and Hannekom. Tom Rogers’ performance at 15 offers both a running threat and arial threat in addition to a better return on the one on one defensive duties where Murray needs to improve. A pack containing Nicky Smith/ Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake/Elliot Dee, Tomos Francis / Archie Griffin, Daf Jenkins, Ben Carter/Teddy Williams, Kane James/Tommy Reffel, Aaron Wainwright/Taine Basham, Jac Morgan and orchestrated by Tomos, could be interesting. Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree and Christ Tshuinza and Seb Davies could also add competition and bulk up front. A back 3 of LRZ, Rogers and Mee could present a competitive arial threat both in attack and defence. Hope to see Louis Hennessy return to Bath in time for the Autumn as he and James could form an exciting centre pairing.Finally, an interesting ‘bolter’ could see former Wallaby captain Liam Wright (now at the Ospreys) qualify for RWC 27 due to his Welsh parentage and offer another option at 6, as an ‘enforcer’. All we need now is to replace the WRU…………….

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