Grace has suffered another crushing injury setback(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
Luckless Wales wing Regan Grace has suffered yet another injury setback in the latest shattering blow to his career in rugby union.
The 29-year-old has had a torrid time since converting from rugby league to union in the summer of 2022, when he left St Helens to join Top 14 side Racing 92. Having suffered a ruptured Achilles ahead of the move, he spent his time in Paris on the sidelines and ended up never playing a game for the French side after the same injury reoccurred months into his recovery.
After spells with both Bath and Cardiff, Grace signed a short-term deal with Sale Sharks in November, but his injury-hit union career means he has played just nine matches in the last three years. One of those came for Wales during their 2024 tour of Australia, as he made his international debut in an uncapped match against Queensland Reds, scored a try and suffered a hamstring injury.
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Now, the Port Talbot-born talent has faced yet another major blow having injured his Achilles again earlier this week, but this time on the opposite leg.
In a statement shared on Instagram on Thursday night, Grace revealed he would be undergoing surgery on Friday with another lengthy spell on the sidelines ahead.
“Unfortunately, l’ve suffered another Achilles injury this week on the opposite side to my previous one,” he wrote. “So I’ll be undergoing surgery tomorrow.
“After putting everything into getting back on the pitch following multiple setbacks, this is a tough one to process. I’m still finding my feet mentally and figuring out what the next chapter looks like.
“I love rugby, I’d have walked away a long time ago if I didn’t, but I know the journey ahead won’t be easy,” Grace added.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support and belief around me, which means more than I can put into words especially from my partner, Nina. I genuinely give my all to the sport.
“I don’t have all the answers right now but I will keep moving forward. Regs.”
It comes weeks after the Welshman told The Times that he would continue to keep chasing his dreams in rugby “as long as my body allows,” having previously doubted his ability to overcome all the setbacks he has faced.
He also revealed that staff at Racing were “literally crying” after he tore his Achilles again while jogging, months into his rehabilitation from the same injury.
“I know that all the staff there knew how hard I tried to make it work,” said Grace. “Because when I snapped my Achilles the second time there, the staff were literally crying. That’s the part of my career which [leaves me] gutted.
“If I looked at all the injuries I’d have, I probably would have thought I’d never get through that,” he added “But I’m quite proud looking back, reflecting on the fact that I have got through it all and stayed positive, and that’s pretty much all you can do, really, in those situations. Or just walk away from the game.
“That question’s been given to me loads of times; do you want to walk away? I don’t, because I still actually love rugby. So as long as my body allows, I’m going to keep going. I know I’ve still got plenty in the tank.”
