Grace shocked by Wales call-up for Australia tour

Regan Grace is a surprise addition to the 34-member Welsh squad that will tour Australia in July.

The rugby league convert was only called into the training squad last week as a replacement for the injured Keelan Giles.

The 27-year-old switched codes in 2022 but serious Achilles tendon injuries have delayed his competitive rugby union debut – which could now come against the Wallabies.

Grace is one of three uncapped players named by head coach Warren Gatland, including Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel and Gloucester winger Josh Hathaway.

Dewi Lake has been named captain, despite the return of Six Nations skipper Dafydd Jenkins, after impressing against South Africa.

But Wales have been hit by an injury crisis in the front row following the loss of Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti and Elliot Dee.

Wales, who have lost their last seven Tests, have not beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 1969, but Gatland remained optimistic.

“I’m excited about this Wales team. We’re expecting two hard-fought test matches, but we’re relishing the challenge,” he said.

“We are striving to improve as a group. They are a young team still learning at this level.

“There are plenty of positives we can build on from the weekend and there are also areas we will work hard on over the coming weeks.”

Tour dates

• July 6 – Australia (Sydney)

• July 13 – Australia (Melbourne)

• July 19 – Queensland Reds (Brisbane)

New Wales Boys

Grace, Hathaway and Daniel are expected to become the latest New Wales caps this summer.

Gatland handed Test debuts to scrum-half Ellis Bevan, center Eddie James, fly-half Jacob Beetham and lock James Ratti against South Africa on Saturday.

Grace, born in Port Talbot, spent six hugely successful seasons in rugby league with St Helens where he won three Super League grand finals and the Challenge Cup, and represented Wales.

He joined French rugby union club Racing 92 in 2022, but was sidelined due to injury before signing with Bath in February.

Aberystwyth-born Hathaway, who has represented Wales and England at Under-20 level, offers options at full-back and wing-back.

Daniel joins fellow Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd in the squad after being called up just a day after Sam Parry controversially left the side.

Crisis at the forefront

Gatland’s resources in the front row were severely tested last week.

After neglecting experienced Ospreys prop Nicky Smith, he lost Thomas to a foot problem in training and now Assiratti to a back injury in Saturday’s loss to South Africa .

Dillon Lewis, a veteran of 57 caps, is included, but Archie Griffin and Harri O’Connor have just three Test appearances between them.

It’s a similar story at hooker with Ryan Elias rested and Parry leaving the team last week after being told he was a fringe player in the original squad.

But the loss of Dee to an ankle injury means captain Lake is supported by Cardiff pair Daniel and Lloyd, who also have just three caps between them.

Lewis is one of a handful of senior players returning to strengthen Wales after missing the match against South Africa played outside the official Test window.

Exeter pair Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza, Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell and Saracens center Nick Tompkins are all likely to return to the starting Test squad.

The 34-strong squad includes ten Cardiff players, the largest contingent from one club.

But with Ratti’s departure, the squad includes just three players from the Ospreys, the only Welsh team to qualify for the knockout stages of the United Rugby Championship and Europe this season.

Wales touring team

Advantages: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Efan Daniel (Cardiff), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins) Harri O’ Connor (Scarlets), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Secom Ruguts), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Screech (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), James Botham (Cardiff), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Back : Ellis Bevan (Cardiff), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Regan Grace (Bath), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Kubota Spears), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff).