Rookie Grace to make Cardiff debut in Perpignan

European Challenge Cup: Perpignan v Cardiff

Venue: Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan Date: Saturday, 11 January Kick off: 13: 00 GMT

Regan Grace, a rookie rugby union wing, makes his Cardiff debut on Saturday at Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup.

With his earlier departure from Bath earlier this week, the 28-year-old former rugby league player helped Cardiff’s already depleted wing reserves.

In addition to Tom Bowen and Cameron Winnett, Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt makes nine changes, six of them behind the scrum.

Winnett is the sole survivor from Cardiff’s New Year Day draw against Ospreys.

Wales’ No. 8 Mackenzie Martin has returned and will start playing for him as fly-half Tinus de Beer replaces Callum Sheedy.

Martin has not played for Cardiff since mid-October with his four appearances in 2024-25 as a replacement.

He requested to play in Cardiff’s semi-pro team in the second-tier Super Rugby Cymru, injuring his shoulder, but is now fit to return.

Grace was a junior at the Port Talbot Ospreys Academy before making a senior debut in Union. She later switched to rugby league at age 17.

Before he returned to the union in 2022, his stellar league career earned him three Super League Grand Finals and the Challenge Cup.

He made his debut at Racing 92 in France before moving to Bath last year due to serious Achilles issues.

Having drawn with South Africa’s Cheetahs in Amesterdam and lost at home to Connacht, Perpignan are fourth with two points.

Their last three games have seen Top 14 defeats at Lyon and Stade Francais, either side of a home win against La Rochelle, leaving them 12th in the French league.

In their festive Welsh derbies, Cardiff defeated Dragons and drawn with Ospreys, placing them third in the United Rugby Championship.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: “We’re heading there with a really positive mindset, aiming to secure the win – that’s our focus.

” Our objective is to secure a home game for the knockouts, but beyond that, it’s about continuing to build and grow the squad.

Replacements: Seilala Lam, Bruce Devaux, Akato Fakatika, Tristan Labouteley, Patrick Sobela, Tom Ecochard, Antoine Aucagne, Apisai Naqalevu

Cardiff: Cam Winnett, Regan Grace, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Tinus de Beer, Aled Davies, Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams (capt), Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Mackenzie Martin, Johan Mulder, Ben Thomas, Jacob Beetham.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Assistant referees: Franco Rosella &amp, Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)