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
Coverage: Live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Rookie rugby union wing Regan Grace makes his Cardiff debut on Saturday at Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup.
The 28-year-old former St Helens and Wales rugby league star bolstered Cardiff's depleted wing reserves with his move from Bath earlier this week.
He joins Tom Bowen and Cameron Winnett in the back three while 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 number eight Mackenzie Martin is back and set to appear off the bench while fly-half Tinus de Beer takes over from Callum Sheedy.
Prop Rhys Barratt will make his first Cardiff start.
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.
Born in Port Talbot, Grace was part of the Ospreys academy, but switched to rugby league aged 17 before making a senior appearance in union.
A stellar league career brought three Super League Grand Finals and the Challenge Cup title before he returned to union in 2022.
But serious Achilles injuries delayed his debut, having initially joined Racing 92 in France before heading to Bath last year.
Grace gets his chance as Wales wing Josh Adams is not involved while Cardiff are also without injured Mason Grady, Harri Millard and Theo Cabango. Iwan Stephens is ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Cardiff lie third in Pool 1 on six points. They twice let the lead slip as they lost their opening game at Lyon before bouncing back with Josh Adams try double to beat Cheetahs 26-10 at the Arms Park.
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.
Cardiff beat Dragons and drew with Ospreys in their festive Welsh derbies putting 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.
"Playing in France is unlike anywhere else. The pre-match experience feels almost like a carnival, with the rugby match at the heart of it. It's something the players really look forward to."
Perpignan: Tommaso Allan; Tavite Veredamu, Job Poulet, Jeronimo de la Fuente (capt) Seta Toganiyadrava; Jake McIntyre, Gela Aprasidze, Giorgi Beria, Victor Montgaillard, Nemo Roelofse, Marvin Orie, Mathieu Tanguy, Noe Della Schiava, Alessandro Ortombina,Lucas Velarte
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 & Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
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Cardiff v Ospreys
Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Louie Hennessey, Ben Thomas (capt), Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Callum Sheedy, Ellis Bevan; Danny Southworth, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau, Aled Davies, Rory Jennings.
