Regan Grace targeted by Welsh club as solution to injury crisis
Regan Grace is understood to be a target for Cardiff as the Arms Park side seek injury cover.
Matt Sherratt is hopeful of bringing in wing cover on a short-term loan in the coming days, with the uncapped Welsh wing understood to be one of Cardiff's possible targets.
The rugby league convert is currently at Bath, having signed for the Gallagher Premiership club last year after failing to make an appearance for French side Racing 92 due to injury.
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Grace has featured just twice for Bath this season after undergoing surgery on his hamstring at the start of the campaign, making his debut in the Premiership Cup before starting against Benetton in the Champions Cup.
Cardiff's wing stocks are low right now, with Mason Grady, Iwan Stephens, Harri Millard and Theo Cabango all out injured. Cabango is back training, although it's still unclear when he will return.
That leaves just Josh Adams, Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Tom Bowen as the only fit wingers available to Sherratt. Bowen has played just one senior game for the Blue and Blacks, while Hamer-Webb was forced off early in the 13-13 draw against the Ospreys on New Year's Day.
At the start of the week, Sherratt admitted that the club were looking to get some short-term cover in, but it could take "seven to 10 days". After the draw with the Ospreys, he offered an update on the situation, saying: "We're hoping to bring someone in in the next day or two, but we haven't got anyone in yet."
Grace is understood to be a possibility. The Arms Park have already taken one Welsh talent from the Rec on a short-term loan, with Wales U20s centre Louie Hennessey having featured against the Ospreys on New Year's Day.
Beyond Grace, it's hard to see what other options are realistically available.
Aled Summerhill left Cardiff at the end of last season, but it's understood there's been no contact with the 30-year-old. Sherratt joked about bringing in Alex Cuthbert last Monday, quipping that the 34-year-old - who left the Ospreys last summer - would demand "British and Irish Lions wages".
Cardiff RFC wing Dewi Cross has been in fine form for the Rags in Super Rygbi Cymru, although he has not featured in recent weeks due to injury. However, it's understood he's unlikely to step up to cover Cardiff's wing shortage.
One complication could be European registration, with any addition to Cardiff's Challenge Cup squad needing to be signed on at least a three-month deal and having not played in the same competition for another team.
Hennessey is going back to Bath during the upcoming European matches, before returning to the Welsh capital to cover URC fixtures. Unless the 28-year-old signed on a three-month deal, he would likely do the same.
The move would make sense from Grace's point of view, too, as he looks to impress ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.
Grace's time in England has also been blighted with injury. Having featured in a couple of friendlies last season after rehabbing from an Achilles injury with the club, he had to wait until December to make his professional debut after undergoing surgery on his hamstring following Wales' summer tour of Australia.
The ex-St Helens wing had featured for Warren Gatland in the uncapped match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, impressing the Welsh coaches with his defensive work and a well-taken try before limping off.
