![\"Grace](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_CDF_190724_CF_QueenslandReds_v_Wales_058JPG.jpg\")
Grace is mobbed after scoring a try on his Wales debut(Image: Chris Fairweather\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond<\/p>\n
16:41, 11 Aug 2025Updated 16:45, 11 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
Grace is mobbed after scoring a try on his Wales debut(Image: Chris Fairweather\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, August 11.<\/p>\n
Wales star nearing rugby league return<\/p>\n
Wales<\/a> wing Regan Grace is nearing a return to rugby league<\/a>, with ambitious Championship outfit York Knights leading the chase for the 28-year-old. Reports suggest the Port Talbot<\/a> product, who was released by Cardiff<\/a> at the end of last season, has been actively pursuing a return to the 13-a-side code in recent weeks.<\/p>\n All Out Rugby League<\/a> are reporting that Grace has been made available to Championship clubs, including league leaders Knights – who are in the midst of a high-profile recruitment drive as they bid to reach Super League.<\/p>\n Warrington Wolves prop Paul Vaughan has already signed, with York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth saying recently they are “an ambitious club”, although there was nothing official to add on Grace. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/a><\/p>\n Grace had admitted back in April that he was exploring his options, with a return to league certainly an option.<\/p>\n The wing had made his name with St Helens, before switching codes to try his hand at rugby union. Serious injury stopped him making an appearance for Racing 92, before short spells with Bath and Cardiff.<\/p>\n He did tour Australia last summer with Wales, featuring in the uncapped match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.<\/p>\n England star’s rapid rise continues<\/p>\n England back-row Henry Pollock has been named as one of the 25 players to gain an Enhanced Elite Player Squad contract for the 2025\/26 season.<\/p>\n The British and Irish Lions<\/a> tourist, who was first capped by England earlier this year, has enjoyed a rapid rise. As such, he’s been rewarded with one of the special deals, which provide a guaranteed annual salary in place of match fees.<\/p>\n Flanker Ben Curry is another of the new additions, joining his brother Tom, while Tom Willis has also been included.<\/p>\n Others to get a central contract who missed out when the first batch were handed out last October include Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck and Will Stuart.<\/p>\n Saracens hooker Theo Dan is the only player out of the original 17 to miss out.<\/p>\n \u201cI am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season,\u201d said England head coach Steve Borthwick.<\/p>\n \u201cThese contracts, together with our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will continue to play an important role in the ongoing development of England Rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n Welsh rugby game moved<\/p>\n The Scarlets<\/a>‘ second match of the United Rugby Championship<\/a> season has been shifted back a day due to stadium redevelopments in Galway.<\/p>\n Dwayne Peel’s<\/a> side start their season at home to Munster on September 27 before travelling to Ireland the following week to take on Connacht.<\/p>\n Initially, that was scheduled to be played on Friday October 3.<\/p>\n