Grady injury casts shadow over romp

■By SIMON THOMAS

Cardiff ………….71 Richmond ……. 10

WALES star Mason Grady suffered a worrying shoulder injury on his first appearance after 10 months out of the game to cast a shadow over this 11-try pre-season victory for Cardiff.

On his comeback from the ankle damage he suffered on Test duty last November, the 23-year-old, right, had to leave the field early in the second half with his left arm in a sling fashioned out of his jersey.

Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt said: “We will have to assess the injury in the next 24 to 48 hours. Fingers crossed it’s ok because Mason deserves a little bit of luck. He has had a tough 18 months. He will get it scanned, so let’s hope it’s low grade and he is ok.”

Wing Grady had looked a real threat with his pace and physicality as Cardiff built a 47-5interval lead, with fellow backs Harri Millard, Ellis Bevan and Tom Bowen all crossing twice.

The hosts gave debuts to eight new recruits with No.8 Taine Basham and prop Ioan Emanuel both marking their bows with tries, while former Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd landed seven of his eight conversions in an assured performance.

In front of a crowd of 3,698, there were further tries in the final quarter from replacements Callum Sheedy, Daf Hughes and Tom Cottle.

Amid all the uncertainty over the future of Welsh rugby, there’s still a new campaign to prepare for and Cardiff will take encouragement from some of the rugby they played, especially in the first half.

But the 51st minute departure of Grady will be a real concern, while new second row George Nott limped off and impressive young wing Elijah Evans picked up a thumb injury.

As for Richmond, who secured promotion to the English Championship by winning National League One last season, it was a tough day at the Arms Park office, but they did have the consolation of picking up a couple of tries of their own.