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England could yet win battle for dual-qualified Regan Grace
By Ian Cameron
Super League flyer Regan Grace could yet be set on a path to England Rugby as Gallagher Premiership clubs circle the rugby league phenom.
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Grace made a stunning return from injury for Saint Helens on the weekend, scoring a dazzling 40-metre try against the Toulouse RL side at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
Reports now suggest that his future is likely to be decided in the next few weeks. Rumours are that Grace – who grew up playing rugby union in Wales – has been put back in the rugby union shop window by his agents.
The 25-year-old has apparently garnered the attention of a number of Gallagher Premiership clubs, eager to unearth the next Jason Robinson or Chris Ashton crossover success.
The same reports suggest that the Welsh regions and the WRU have gone cold on the flyer, who was somehow slipped through the net of their academy system six years ago. Grace represented Aberavon Quins RFC and a number of Ospreys age-grade teams before throwing his lot in with the 13-man code.
It was a decision that has proved fruitful, with the 5’11, 79kg winger going on to become a star of Super League for Saints Helens, scoring 84 tries in 133 games. He’s also extremely rapid, having clocked 36.7 km/hr or 10.19 metres per second during a game against Hull KR.
Saints head coach Kristian Woolf said over the weekend they are desperate to hold on to the star, although he admitted Grace certainly had a ‘choice’ to make.
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“In terms of him re-signing, nothing’s changed from earlier in the week and we’ve certainly left him alone as the week’s [gone on],” said Wolf. “It’s his first game back, he can worry about playing and get that out of the way. Certainly over the next couple of days, we’ll get back on to trying to get something finalised there.
“We certainly want to keep him, we’re working really hard to. That doesn’t mean that he’s made a decision to stay or anything like that. He’s got a few decisions to make, but we’re going to do our absolute best to keep him and he showed his worth tonight.”
It is unlikely St Helens would be able to compete should a Gallagher Premiership side make a serious play for Grace.
The question for Gallagher Premiership sides, who are tightening budgets as the salary cap shrinks, is if they can justify the outlay on a player who is effectively unproven in the 15-man game. All evidence would suggest a return to the union would be a successful one, but it could take one or even two years before it bears fruit.
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Grace has represented Wales in league already and has spoken of a desire to do the same in union, but the fact that he is qualified for England in union could make him more attractive to Premiership sides that will have to meet new quotas for English-qualified players.
The question for Grace might be if he does choose a Gallagher Premiership side, will he turn his attention to a potential England Test cap or look to make his mark with Wales, who effectively snubbed him at a regional level.
According to this article he is 5ft 11in. I understand that he is under 5ft 9in.