These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, November 22.

Grace returns after cruel twist

Regan Grace is set to make his return to action after a cruel injury blow ruled him out of Wales' autumn campaign.

The electric wing made his long-awaited debut for Warren Gatland's side during their summer tour of Australia and helped the team to a narrow win over Queensland Reds with a first half try.

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However, Grace's first appearance in Welsh colours also saw him pick up a hamstring injury that required surgery, ruling him out for over three months as he underwent rehabilitation.

The injury blow also means that the 27-year-old rugby league convert has still not made his official debut for Bath, having only played in friendly matches against Gloucester and Leinster since joining from Racing 92 in February.

However, he will finally get the opportunity this weekend having been named in the starting lineup to take on Bedford Blues in Round 3 of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Johann van Graan's side also features Wales U20s star Louie Hennessey, who recently committed his long-term future to the club, while Welsh-qualified hooker Kepu Tuipulotu is named among the replacements.

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Wales star faces Six Nations fitness race

Wales lock Ben Carter faces a race to be fit in time to feature at next year's Six Nations after having surgery on a knee injury.

The Dragons star was released from Warren Gatland's squad during the first week of training after suffering a blow to his left leg, with scans revealing he had suffered medial collateral ligament damage.

Carter, who has 12 caps for his country, has since undergone an operation to correct the injury but has now been ruled out until February, with Wales' Six Nations campaign getting under way away to France on January 31.

It is the latest injury blow to hit the 23-year-old, who missed much of last season with a hamstring injury. The setback will also be of huge concern to the Dragons, with Carter playing every minute of the first six games of the URC season.

His absence leaves the region with Matthew Screech, George Nott, Steve Cummins and Joe Davies as their senior specialist options in the second row.

"We are pleased that surgery was a complete success for Ben, and he has now started his journey to recovery with our medical and support staff," said Dragons interim coach Filo Tiatia. “Ben has our full support and very best wishes, and we will look forward to his return next year.”

Beard 'gutted' after injury blow

Wales star Adam Beard says he is "gutted" after his Autumn Series campaign was ended by injury.

The towering Ospreys lock injured his knee just seven minutes into the clash against Australia last weekend, with Warren Gatland losing the most experienced member of his squad ahead of the visit of the Springboks on Saturday.

Beard was released from the squad earlier this week, with no replacement called up, and he has now taken to social media to share his frustration over the injury.

"Gutted my autumn campaign has ended early," he wrote on Instagram. "Loved being back in the Welsh jersey. Always an honour and a privilege. Some time on the sideline now but I’ll be back."

Beard's injury is the latest to strike the Wales squad this autumn, with Ben Carter, Mason Grady and Tomos Williams also facing a spell on the sidelines.

Townsend demands statement win

By Anthony Brown, PA

Gregor Townsend has challenged Scotland to set themselves up for the Six Nations by defeating Australia on Sunday.

The Scots have defeated a second-string Fiji side and Portugal this month either side of a spirited display in a 32-15 defeat by South Africa.

Now Townsend wants to see his team sign off their autumn series with a statement victory over a resurgent Wallabies side.

“If we win, it will give us a massive boost going into the Six Nations because we’re playing a quality side,” said the Scotland head coach.

“I think it’ll be frustrating if we don’t deliver a performance that we’ve been working towards, if we don’t at least match that performance of South Africa in how we played that night.

“That’s what we’re building towards. We train for a reason. We train to improve. We train to find a way to win at the weekend and that’s the goal for us on Sunday.

“It’s the last game of the year for us as coaches and players. We know it’s going to be a sold-out crowd and we’re up against a team that is on form but also plays good rugby. I think it’ll be an open game if the weather stays dry as forecast.”

After sending out a much-changed side against Portugal last weekend, Townsend has reverted to the most experienced XV available to him.

The most notable inclusion is former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie, who makes his first start of the autumn campaign at the end of a year in which he lost his status as skipper and as a regular starter. The Edinburgh back-rower returns to the side after Glasgow’s Jack Dempsey sustained a shoulder injury against South Africa.

“Jamie was involved in both our wins this year in the Six Nations (against England and Wales),” said Townsend.

“He’s had to deal with no longer being captain and also deal with the increased competition in the back row. But I believe he’s playing some of his best rugby at the end of the season with Edinburgh.

“He was showing his super strengths – he was in the top two of winning jackal turnovers in the URC.

“He’s also very good aerially and that came out for Edinburgh and it’s coming out more and more in Test rugby. Over the last two or three weeks the aerial battle is now more chaotic and more important than it was leading into this tournament, so we see Jamie in both those areas as well as his skill and his experience which can help those around him.”