Mason Grady: Wales and Cardiff centre faces 'big year' after World Cup frustration
- Published
Mason Grady says he has a point to prove in Test rugby
Wales centre Mason Grady aims to use his World Cup frustration to avoid second season syndrome.
The 21-year-old burst onto the Test rugby scene during the 2023 Six Nations and forced his way into Warren Gatland's World Cup squad.
However the giant Cardiff flyer was largely unused in France with just one start in five games.
"I haven't proved myself on the international stage yet and that's what I want to do this year," Grady said.
Despite starting twice in the Six Nations, Grady was reduced to a bit-part in France behind first choice centre-pairing George North and Nick Tompkins.
He was limited to a start against Portugal and an appearance off the bench against Georgia in the pool stage.
However with questions over North's long-term international future, Grady insisted the French experience will stand him in good stead.
"This is a big year for me. Yes I was frustrated not to play more [at the World Cup] but when you look at the lads in front of me, they're not too bad are they. So I just had to take it and learn from it.
"I still loved being involved in the World Cup and being around that sort of experience and the build up to knock-out games at a World Cup is so important to a young player's career.
"I didn't play much but it was about learning how players look after their bodies and then prepare for these big games.
"I would sit down with Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe and go through clips from the games. It was amazing to see how they view the game. That's what I'm trying to learn, the game in general, because I'm not quite there yet."
France was the first speed-bump in Grady's rapid rise that began with demolishing defences in the part-time Welsh Premiership before he was catapulted into a Test debut against England in front of 74,000 fans inside the Principality Stadium in February.
Centre or wing?
Grady was among the first Wales squad players to return to club duties in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and with immediate impact, scoring twice in three games as a wing, rather than centre.
"There's no dilemma over Mason's best position," insisted Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt.
"I don't think there's any need to label him a centre or wing, right now we just want him on the pitch.
"It's important we develop Mason's understanding and awareness and that's going to come from playing, in either position.
"He's a great athlete but the challenge for him now is to get involved in games as much as possible with his hands on the ball."