Regan Grace’s Determination to Return to Rugby
Regan Grace scored against Queensland Reds for Wales in 2024, marking a significant moment in his ongoing rugby career.
Nearly two years after demonstrating his finishing ability in an unexpected opportunity for Wales, Grace has dismissed thoughts of retirement and is focused on making another comeback.
The wing suffered his third Achilles tendon rupture in four years during training with Sale ahead of a Premiership Cup match in January.
He had been preparing for just his ninth competitive game since switching back to rugby union in 2022, but the injury forced him to reconsider his future in the sport.
"I just felt that I had to retire,"admitted the 29-year-old from Port Talbot, who previously excelled in Super League with St Helens.
"I thought that nobody would want me, but some of the staff at Sale told me not to think like that just yet, that I had to just get myself fit and go from there."
After nearly five months of rehabilitation, Grace is now on the path to recovery, supported by the mental resilience he attributes to his time at Saints.
He plans to join Sale Sharks in pre-season training to regain fitness and secure his next contract.
Grace’s Injury History and Career Challenges
Grace is considered one of rugby’s unluckiest players due to a series of injuries over the past four years since switching codes.
His achievements with St Helens, where he won four Super League titles and a Challenge Cup while scoring 88 tries in 142 appearances, led to a lucrative transfer to French club Racing 92.
He insisted on remaining in northwest England to complete the Saints’ season before moving to Paris, during which time he suffered his first left Achilles rupture.
Subsequently, he tore the same tendon again while playing for Racing 92 in the Top 14.
A hamstring injury sustained while touring Australia with Wales in 2024 further hindered his progress at Bath.
These setbacks made it understandable that Grace questioned his future after his third Achilles rupture, this time on his right side, following a dynamic run in training.
"I knew what was ahead of me and that made me wonder if it was worth going through it all again,"he said.
"It's not just you putting your body through it all, it affects everyone around you, so should I pack it in? It's dark at times because I just want to be part of things all the time."
The Motivation to Continue Playing
Ultimately, it was the thrill of scoring tries that motivated Grace to persevere.
"It's a bit of an addiction because the feeling of playing and scoring is something that you want to keep experiencing again and again,"said the wing.
"One day I will be too old to even think about doing it again, so that's why I am giving it everything to come back. I am confident I will get back to my best. I have rehabbed with some of the best in the world and know what I need to do and where I need to get myself."
Grace remains realistic about the challenges posed by his medical history but is determined to prove his value in either rugby league or union.
"I just want to get to a point where I feel strong and confident before I even start thinking of talking to anyone,"he explained, working with Sale’s staff three times weekly alongside his personal gym sessions.
"I don't want to go to a club when I am not fit. I want to be able to hit the ground running, or at least be ready to do a pre-season. One of the reasons that I said I was going to quit straight after the injury was that I don't want to let anybody down. If someone puts the time, effort and money into you it is horrible when you don't deliver what is expected. I feel that I have let clubs down because I have been willing to give 100% for them but physically haven't been able to."
Grace’s Impact and Legacy
Grace’s continued interest from clubs despite extended periods of inactivity highlights the impact he made with the ball in hand during his time at St Helens.
He moved north after being scouted in Port Talbot and scored a try on his debut against fierce rivals Wigan in 2017.
Grace featured in the 2021 Challenge Cup final victory and Super League Grand Finals in 2019, 2020, and 2021, though he watched the 2022 success from the stands due to injury.
"Those years were unreal and some of my proudest and best memories,"said Grace, who resides in Orrell.
"I moved here when I was 17 to win stuff. We didn't start off amazingly and we had to build that culture and mindset of being tough and resilient, that we wouldn't give up. That has stayed with me for life and has helped me get through rehab."
International Career and Recent Highlights
Grace represented Wales at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and was unexpectedly called up to the Wales rugby union team in 2024.
Initially thinking the invitation to international camp was a prank, he soon realized the opportunity was genuine.
He earned selection for the tour to Australia and played through injury while scoring in a friendly victory against Queensland Reds.
"It was emotional to get called up because the one team that you want to play for when you start with rugby is Wales,"he said.
"It felt like that had slipped by, so to get that chance was incredible."
These rugby highs have sustained Grace’s resolve despite the disappointment of repeated injury setbacks.
