Cardiff have no long-term plans for Grady at 12

Mason Grady has played 14 internationals for Wales

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt insists he has no long-term plans to play Mason Grady at inside centre.

Grady was given the unfamiliar role by Wales head coach Warren Gatland for the summer defeat against South Africa and the two-Test loss in Australia.

The 22-year-old was named at inside centre by Cardiff in the pre-season victory against Bath on Friday.

Sherratt says he was forced into that by injuries to Ben Thomas and new signing Rory Jennings.

Grady was used mainly as a wing or outside centre last season and Sherratt says that remains his policy with more of a ball-player like Thomas preferred at inside-centre.

"I have been really clear," said Sherratt.

"Ben was nursing an injury [against Bath]. I see Mason as a 13 who can also play on the wing.

"He's played three Tests at 12 for Wales in the summer and we didn't have a 12 available [against Bath] so we pushed him in there.

"But I like a second receiver at 12 so that's the way we will go.

"If Mason does have to step in there, though, he has the experience to do so."

New Cardiff fly-half Callum Sheedy has played 16 internationals for Wales

Thomas was also selected by Gatland to play out of position during the summer after being given the fly-half role for the losses against the Wallabies.

Sherratt prefers Thomas at 12 with new signing Callum Sheedy battling it out with Tinus de Beer for the fly-half role this season.

Sheedy made his Cardiff debut against Bath as a replacement for de Beer and looked assured in his new surroundings after arriving from Bristol.

"I'm really chuffed for him," said Sherratt.

"I didn't actually say anything [to him] pre-match. He's a Cardiff lad and grew up watching games here.

"I think he went to see his mum who lives about 10 minutes away before the game.

"I think he was a bit nervous about playing but I thought he brought an air of calmness. He had three kicks to touch which all took us to within five metres out.

"He kicked when he needed to. He's given us a little taste of what we can expect this year. At the end he's caught the ball and cross-field kicked and then done a goosestep. I'm not sure where he's learned that!

"He's a Cardiff type of player. He's got a good mentality and definitely brings some composure to the team."

After missing Wales' summer tour, Wales wing Josh Adams is battling to be fit for the opening United Rugby Championship game of the season against Zebre on Friday, 20 September.

Number eight Taulupe Faletau is expected to return some time in October after suffering a serious shoulder injury against Ulster in April.