Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union; Wales debutant Regan Grace has been described as “an incredible player” after being named in Warren Gatland’s Australia tour squad.
Despite playing just two senior games of rugby union for his club Bath, former league star Grace could pull on the red shirt.
Whether it’s during the two Tests against the Wallabies or the July 19 appointment with the Queensland Reds, a first Wales appearance for the 27-year-old wing can’t come soon enough. Grace scored 89 tries for St Helens in a league career that saw him in 3rd grand final winning sides, is under contract with Bath until the end of next season.
What ‘superstar’ Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union.
He switched codes in 2022 but ruptured his Achilles tendon before joining French Top 14 club Racing 92 and was unable to play for them after a recurrence of the injury six months later.
Grace then linked up with Bath to continue his rehabilitation and he played in friendlies against Leinster and Gloucester earlier this year as he returned to full fitness. What ‘superstar’ Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union.
“If you’ve seen Regan in the league you’ll understand why he’s called up,” Wales wing Rio Dyer said.
“He’s an incredible player with a lot of talent. What ‘superstar’ Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union.
“He hasn’t played much, but he brings a lot of work and hard work to training and you can see he’s not new to the game.“He knows the ins and outs. Let’s see how he goes. I am sure he will do very well.”
Grace was called up to Wales’ training squad less than a week before they travel to Sydney, where they face Australia on Saturday.
He joins the squad after Ospreys wing Keelan Giles was ruled out of the three-match tour with a groin injury.
Wales assistant coach and defense specialist Mike Forshaw had a 17-year league career, playing for Wigan, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford and Warrington. He has represented Great Britain on 14 occasions, so both Code and Grace have a detailed idea of what to expect. “I watched Reagan’s highlights,” Forshaw said. What ‘superstar’ Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union.
“He was superstar at St Helens and a very good athlete. He is a great guy who has been unlucky with injuries.
“He is someone who can really come through for Wales. We’re going to monitor him and we’re not going to push him too early. “It was an ideal opportunity to watch him because there aren’t that many players with the X-factor and pace.
“We are down to a lot of players at the moment and it’s a great opportunity to see him. At some point he’ll crack. “He has to understand how to play in the backfield, where the play is set-pieces and then breaks.
“It is always a challenge for players coming from rugby league. In the League the game stops when a tackle is made, but in the Union the game starts when a tackle is made.” What ‘superstar’ Regan Grace needs to learn in rugby union.