Wales could be set to lose a promising young wing, following recent reports regarding the future of Mason Grady. The Cardiff flyer has been linked with four Premiership clubs, and could be on his way out of Wales when his contract expires this Summer.
The front-runner for Grady’s signature is rumoured to be Bath, however the likes of Saracens, Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs are also amongst the conversation. Should Grady leave Cardiff in favour of a move to England, he will rule himself out of future Wales test matches, due to the contractural agreements in place with the WRU.
The rule regards that Welsh players with less than 25 test match appearances are ineligible to play for Warren Gatland’s side, if they are based at a club outside of the country. This rule was witnessed ahead of the 2023/24 Premiership season, as Exeter Chiefs centre Joe Hawkins moved down to Devon, and forfeited his place amongst Gatland’s squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
If a move out of Wales should materialise, Grady would become the latest wing to opt out of an international future for the country. Just yesterday it was revealed that Cardiff-born Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will be attending a Pre-Six Nations England training camp, in what was a major blow for Wales.
Grady is the step-brother of former Wales centre Cory Allen, and is a product of Cardiff’s academy. The versatile powerhouse is adaptable to play across the centres and on the wings, and currently boasts seven test match caps for Wales. Grady made his international debut against England in the 2022 Six Nations, where he ran out for the full 80 minutes at outside centre.
The 21-year-old made two pool stage appearances for Wales at the Rugby World Cup, in their victories over Portugal and Georgia. He returned to the wing back at club level, and has been in unstoppable form in the United Rugby Championship. In his nine matches since returning from France, Grady has scored five tries for the Welsh capital club.