Grace aims to crack codes with Wales after injury hell

Wing Regan Grace will continue his transition from rugby league by making his first appearance for Wales' rugby union side against Queensland Reds on Friday.

Many Welshmen have made the opposite journey successfully but few have managed the successful switch from the 13-a-side game.

Despite playing only two senior games of rugby union for his club Bath, Grace will feature for Warren Gatland's team against the Australian Super Rugby side in an uncapped fixture in Brisbane.

Grace's team-mates and coaches describe him as "a good, humble and quiet lad" and an "X-factor player" who has something you "cannot coach".

The 27-year-old from Port Talbot has demonstrated resilience by battling back from serious Achilles injuries. Now he has his overdue chance to shine.

After playing for Ospreys under-16s, Grace found his future was in rugby league.

He was a revelation with St Helens, scoring 89 tries during a career that saw him feature in three Grand Final-winning teams and also representing the Wales rugby league side.

One of his team-mates of three years was full-back Lachlan Coote, who is part of an exclusive club of players to win Super League and National Rugby League (NRL) titles.

"It was good having him around, especially on those kick returns," said Coote.

"He's not the biggest bloke, but his speed makes up for that.

"Any time I was tired, I'd offload to Regan and he'd find a way to break a game, he was always there to support.

"It was awesome seeing his development in that short period. I know how determined he is and that's why he is where he is today."

Grace is in Brisbane in the same week as Australian rugby league's showpiece event, which saw New South Wales defeat Queensland in the State of Origin series decider - watched by the Wales squad at the Suncorp Stadium.

"He picked a good time to come here," said Coote.

"Good on him."

Grace switched codes in 2022 but ruptured his Achilles tendon ahead of joining French Top 14 club Racing 92.

He did not play for the Parisians after suffering an injury relapse six months later.

Grace linked up with Bath to continue his rehabilitation and played in friendlies earlier this year against Leinster and Gloucester.

His Bath teammate Archie Griffin has been Grace's roommate this week.

"He is excited for this chance," said Griffin.

"He is rapid. When he is on the ball, he is unbelievable.

"His pace and stepping ability is so good.

"I am glad he has not made me look silly in training here yet, but he certainly has at Bath."

Despite his lack of action, Grace was called into Wales' training squad less than a week before the departure to Australia, replacing the injured Keelan Giles.

Grace has had the benefit of working with Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw, who is a former Great Britain rugby league international.

"I had seen highlights of him and he was a bit of a superstar at St Helens," said Forshaw.

"The biggest challenge for a wing coming from rugby league is around the back field and breakdown.

"In rugby league when the tackle is made the game stops, in rugby union when a tackle is made, the game starts. That is a big transition."

One man who has made that switch is Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss, who will be scheming ways to stop Grace on Friday.

Kiss was a rugby league wing who played for Queensland.

"It takes a while to understand the nature of the advantage line," said Kiss.

"Every contact in this game is a chance to get the ball back, but he has pace, is good in the air and has things you can't coach.

"I know if we are not good enough in the middle on Friday and we open up space for him, he can be dangerous."

One thing Grace has excelled in both codes is becoming the squad's recognised music man. Firstly at St Helens, then with Wales.

"In the gym, he'd always be playing his tunes," said Coote.

"It wasn't just dance music, he had a mix of everything which I appreciated. He catered for all personalities."

These talents have put Taine Plumtree to shame with Grace sharing music committee duties with the Scarlets flanker on this tour.

"The boys have been enjoying the music he has been playing," said Plumtree.

"I had a bit of a hard time with the boys at the start of the tour because they weren't enjoying my music too much.

"So I gave it to Regan for about a week and they loved it."

Grace has also been working hard on the training field.

Gatland saying it was the ideal time to bring the wing into the squad, with Giles, Tom Rogers, Theo Cabango and Tomi Lewis injured and Josh Adams rested.

"He got his opportunity with a couple of guys being unavailable," said Gatland.

"So why not take a punt on him? Bring him into the environment and see how he goes.

"He's fitted in well. He's quiet and humble about his success in rugby league.

"Hopefully he can transfer that into the union game."

Gatland says Wales considered playing Grace against the Wallabies but resisted that temptation of "throwing him in at the deep end" during the 2-0 series defeat.

"We felt he needs a bit more time in the environment," said Gatland.

"He's been recovering from a horrendous Achilles injury that he then suffered again.

"He's taken time in terms of his rehab and making sure he's done everything right, and we've been looking after him as well."

Gatland says there should no pressure or expectations on Grace.

"He's not played a lot of rugby since coming back from league," said Gatland.

"He's sharp and explosive and we've got to try and make sure we get the ball in his hands as much as we can.

"We just want him to enjoy it and see what he can do."