The Diverse Rugby Career of Ethan Grayson: Newcastle, Southern California, and a Sporting Legacy

Ethan Grayson, aged 22, possesses a rugby career already rich with diverse experiences. He is currently with Newcastle Falcons, a tenure set to conclude at the end of 2024, after which he will rejoin Major League Rugby. Grayson was raised in a family deeply passionate about sports, with his father being a World Cup winner. Both Ethan and his older brother, James, subsequently chose to follow in their father’s footsteps. Ethan’s journey included an involuntary departure from his local team, the failure of a subsequent transfer due to a club’s collapse, and ultimately, a renewed passion for rugby union found internationally. His current priority involves assisting Newcastle Falcons, who are struggling in the Premiership, as they get ready to host Saracens at Kingston Park this Friday. Grayson’s arrival at the Falcons was a matter of opportune timing. Following his initial season with San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MRL) in the US, he was undertaking coaching duties at Moulton College in Northampton. There, he encountered Alan Dickens, his former coach for Saints and England Under-20s. This meeting swiftly led to Grayson signing a contract with Newcastle until the close of 2024, intended to address a vacancy within Steve Diamond’s team. Although Grayson identifies primarily as a natural centre, he was called upon to replace first-choice fly-half Brett Connon in a Premiership fixture at Harlequins just days after joining the club, presenting a challenging situation. He recounted to BBC Sport, “I was still learning everyone’s names and all the plays,” adding, “You’re essentially the quarter-back, all the play revolves around you.” He further stated, “If you get stuff wrong, it can have such a bad effect. It was daunting at first but I’m a great believer that things are never as bad as you first think.” Despite his arrival at Newcastle during a period of significant Premiership struggle, Ethan Grayson was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception from the squad. He swiftly grasped the weight of the club’s winless run, which had extended to 25 matches and 581 days before their eventual victory over Exeter Chiefs, a match in which Grayson, as Newcastle’s fly-half, secured a win in his third start. This occasion brought joy and relief to everyone associated with the north-east club, and particular satisfaction for Grayson, who had achieved a victory as a starting number 10. He remarked, “What a buzz that was,” continuing, “I had only been at the club four weeks and it was a relief for me so for the lads who have been here the whole last year and a half, you can only imagine.” He added, “It was awesome. How we played and to do it at Kingston Park where the fans have been so loyal made it even sweeter.” Grayson’s tenure with Newcastle is scheduled to conclude following a match against his childhood team, Northampton Saints, at the end of December. Subsequently, he will travel to America for his second season in San Diego. His relocation to southern California occurred after a prospective transfer to London Irish in the summer of 2023 fell through due to the Exiles ceasing operations. Grayson filled the interim period with a brief stint at Bedford Blues before journeying across the Atlantic earlier this year, leaving behind a feeling of disappointment regarding the state of English rugby. In America, he discovered precisely what he sought: playing before average home crowds exceeding 7,000 as the Legion advanced to the MRL quarter-finals. The San Diego squad featured rugby icons such as New Zealand’s Ma’a Nonu and Australia’s Matt Giteau, and showcased a distinct style of rugby. The sunny climate and outdoor ‘SoCal’ lifestyle also proved highly appealing to Grayson. “The standard has been way better than I thought,” he commented. “You think of the physical specimens and freaks you get in the NFL and the NBA, well it’s exactly the same in rugby.” He noted the presence of “loads of American Polynesians in the league, Kiwis, South Africans.” adding, “The physicality is not far off the Premiership, whereas skill-wise, it’s probably more like the Championship.” Grayson further stated, “But everyone wants to have a crack. It’s a lot looser, which is exactly the type of rugby I enjoy and the quality is getting better all the time.” He concluded, “Major League rugby is still in its infancy. It’s only seven years old whereas the Premiership is nearly 30 years old.” Throughout Grayson’s career, which has spanned from the sunny climes of California to the current cold evenings on Tyneside, his parents, Paul and Emma, have provided consistent support and encouragement. Ethan was barely 18 months old when his father was a member of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad, serving as the back-up fly-half to Jonny Wilkinson. Ethan, along with his older brother James and twin brother Joel, were never compelled to emulate their father, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live. Nevertheless, both Ethan and James have pursued careers in rugby union, with James currently playing for the Japanese team Mitsubishi Dynaboars. “My dad was awesome when we were all growing up,” he stated. “He was not pushy to get us into rugby and when I was younger I played everything – basketball, cricket, rugby, you name it.” He added, “It’s the same, now. If I need something I’ll pick up the phone and ring him. I probably speak to him most days and we chat about everything.” Paul, Ethan Grayson’s father, earned 32 caps for England between 1995 and 2004. Accessing his father’s extensive experience has also proven crucial during Grayson’s time at Newcastle. Ethan, who is versatile enough to play fly-half, centre, and full-back, does not consider the number 10 position his preferred role, which is where his father’s expertise became particularly valuable. He stated, “Just after I arrived here, he came up to Newcastle to help me and we worked together on my kicking and punting.” Grayson added, “He’s not overbearing and was never trying to force it with me. My relationship with him and my mum is great.” He also noted, “It’s a lot easier for them to come and watch me play here, even if it takes hours driving up the motorway.” Concluding, he quipped, “But having been to see me in California, James in Japan and Joel at university in Tanzania in the last year, they’ve got some great air miles!”