Wales' Grady aiming for full speed with Cardiff

European Challenge Cup: Stade Francais v Cardiff

Venue: Stade Jean Bouin Date: Saturday, 6 December Kick-off: 13:00 GMT

Coverage: S4C and via iPlayer, updates on Radio Wales and Radio Cymru

Mason Grady hopes to profit from winging it with Cardiff as the Wales back continues his return from injury in their European Challenge Cup opener at Stade Francais on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made his first competitive appearance in 12 months in last Saturday's United Rugby Championship win against Zebre in Parma.

Grady suffered an ankle injury in Wales' autumn defeat by Fiji in November 2024 and then suffered more injury misfortune in September when he sustained a shoulder injury in a friendly against Richmond at the Arms Park.

He showed no signs of anxiety on his return with a typically powerful display in Parma and now intends to work towards full speed.

"It was class, I was glad to get out there and play the full 80 minutes in a hell of a win," said the 15-times capped back.

"I want to keep playing and building. The injury was frustrating, but that's rugby and it happens to everyone.

"A lot have had it worse than me and it was just unfortunate to suffer a freak injury after having such a good pre-season."

Grady's first Cardiff start was at outside centre while he wore the 12 jersey for Wales in all three summer Tests in 2024.

The powerful back is versatile, but is hoping to specialise on the wing, at least while finding his feet after injury.

"I don't care where I play, but at the moment it's a case of getting used to one position after being out for a long time," said Grady, who will make his 50th Cardiff appearance in Paris.

"Switching positions every game is not the best thing to do and concentrating on wing gives me something to build from."

Cardiff are second in the URC after beating Zebre 29-14 for a fifth success from six games.

Coach Corniel Van Zyl, with one eye on crucial festive derbies against Scarlets, Dragons and Ospreys, opts to rotate his squad.

Number eight Alun Lawrence captains a side that features nine changes from Parma.

Iwan Stephens returns from injury on the wing after a year out because of ruptured knee ligaments while there are three potential debutants in the 23 – full-back Matty Young starts with scrum-half Ieuan Davies and centre Elijah Evans on the bench.

Stade Francais: Ibo; Laloi, Marchant, Delbouis, Etien; Foursans-Bourdette, Abadie; Abramishvili, Nicotera, Asi, Gabrillagues (capt), Azagoh, Halaifonua, Chapuis, Tanga.

Replacements: Albo, Iscaro, Alo-Emile, Scelzo, Motassi, Nene, Jonas, Turagacoke.

Cardiff: Young; Grady, Smit, S Emanuel, Stephens; I Lloyd, Bevan; Barratt, E Lloyd, Wainwright, McNally, Thornton, Botham, Basham, Lawrence (capt).

Replacements: D Hughes, I Emanuel, Sebastian, Nott, Thomas I Davies, Wilde, E Evans.

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Keane Davison & Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)

TMO: Mark Patton (Ireland)