Wales announce shock call-up of former rugby league superstar as winger leaves squad

Wales have called rugby league superstar Regan Grace into their summer squad.

The 27-year-old replaces Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, who has a groin injury with Grace added to the 39-man training squad which will be cut down to 34 ahead of the Australia tour. Wales have also announced Scarlets tighthead Henry Thomas has been ruled out of the South Africa game with Keiron Assiratti replacing the former England prop in the starting line-up and Harri O'Connor coming onto the bench.

Grace, who recently signed a contract with Bath, would not have been eligible for selection this weekend due to the game falling outside of the designated international window. But the fact he has been added to the Wales squad suggests he is being seriously considered as an option for Wales' two-Test tour of Australia which also included an uncapped game against the Queensland Reds.

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The other wingers in the training squad are Josh Hathaway, Rio Dyer and Liam Williams, while Mason Grady can also play on the wing. Grace is one of the most prolific try scorers in rugby league history, playing 143 times and scoring 89 tries for St Helens, helping them win three Super League Grand finals along with a Challenge Cup.

He ruptured his Achilles tendon in August 2022 before joining French Top 14 club Racing 92, but he did not feature for them after suffering an injury relapse six months later. Grace was then picked up by Bath where he completed a successful trial period and was awarded a permanent contract.

As of yet the man from Port Talbot, who also qualifies for England, has not played a competitive game of professional rugby union, with his only appearances for Bath coming in friendlies against Leinster and Gloucester, respectively.

If he were to play for Wales this summer his first competitive match of rugby union could be a Test match. Grace's finishing ability is not in doubt, with his blistering pace and deceptive footwork capable of opening up the best defences.

But he has not played a competitive game of rugby union or league for two years and there will be question marks surrounding his defence and aerial ability given his height.