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Premiership clubs battling to sign Wales' Mason Grady - report
By Josh Raisey
Gallagher Premiership duo Sale Sharks and Bath are competing to sign one of Wales' brightest prospects Mason Grady ahead of next season, according to WalesOnline.
The 21-year-old is in a rich vein of form this season with Cardiff since returning from the World Cup, with five tries to his name in the United Rugby Championship. But with playing budgets set to be cut next season in Wales, the 105kg winger could be the latest Welsh player to cross the border, following in the footsteps of his teammate Tomos Williams who confirmed a move to Gloucester on Monday.
WalesOnline have reported that Sale Sharks have already offered the Welshman a deal, while he has also met with Bath head coach Johann van Graan. This move would put his fledgling Wales career on hold, as he falls short of the 25-cap threshold for players to play abroad with only six caps. His career in red could only resume once he returns to one of Wales' four regions.
After Grady's Wales and Cardiff teammate Williams signed for Gloucester on Monday ahead of next season, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt that in the "current financial landscape" meant the club could not compete with offers elsewhere.
He said: “We made our best possible offer but given the current financial landscape and salary cap in Wales, he has unfortunately decided to move on."
The key difference between Williams and Grady, however, is that the scrum-half has 53 caps to his name, meaning he can continue to play for Warren Gatland's side.
Regardless of what happens next season, Grady can expect to be named in Wales' Guinness Six Nations squad next week after the season he has had. In the meantime, Cardiff face Harlequins at home and Racing 92 in Paris over the next two weeks in the Investec Champions Cup round three.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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