It’s 8.30am and the temperature in Treviso is already touching 27 degrees when Mason Grady picks up the phone.
“It’s really hot but I’m enjoying it out here,” he says as he leaves the Wales U20 breakfast area. “It was great to start the tournament with a win. It will give us some confidence.”
Cardiff centre Grady is a player with a lot of potential.
Little has been seen of him at senior level to date after he picked up a knee injury in the spring of 2021, but he has the raw ability, pace and physical dimensions to go far in the game.
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Standing at 6ft 5in and weighing 17st 4lb, the 20-year-old is taller and heavier than George North and would have been directed to the second row had he turned up for a game in the 1970s or 1980s.
But Grady also boasts sharp acceleration that has allowed him to look comfortable on the wing before now, while he relishes defensive duties, has aerial skills and is a confident handler.
He didn’t miss a beat in the U20 Summer Series win over Scotland last weekend, defending assuredly and causing the opposition problems with ball in hand: one carry saw him rampage forward, like a Gulliver throwing aside Lilliputians, as he set in place the platform for a Welsh try.
“I thought we were good as a side,” he said after Wales’ 45-15 win. “We previewed Scotland, knew how we wanted to play, shut them down physically and were on the ball defensively.
“That said, no one is complacent. We gave away 17 penalties and there were a few mistakes, so there’s still plenty of work to be done.”
But for Grady it was just good to be back in Wales colours again after his injury.
The younger brother of Wales international Cory Allen has ambitions but is at the outset of what should prove a long senior career and is prepared to take things one step at a time.
“Next season I just want to settle down with Cardiff and start for them,” he says.
“People around me at the club have been great. Rey Lee-Lo has been keen to give me advice as to how to get into games and defend and others have helped as well.
“I’m still young and it’s about trying to improve with each game.
“The big goals are to win a cap for Wales and further down the line feature for the British and Irish Lions, but I understand everyone wants to achieve those and there’s a lot of work that needs to be put in.
“So getting that starting spot for Cardiff, that’s the first goal.”
Asked who his role model was as a youngster, Grady replies without hesitation: “My brother Cory.
“I went to pretty much every one of his games, and growing up I wanted to be like him — play for Cardiff, play for Wales.
“Thinking back to when I was watching him as a youngster of around eight to 10, it’s a bit surreal that I’m doing that now, albeit playing for Wales U20s.
“I was 13 when he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup.
“He’s been unlucky with injuries but I still think he’s one of the best centres out there. Hopefully, he’s going to come back from his injury and tear it up.”
The pair are the sons of Julie Grady, who has played basketball for Wales at the Commonwealth Games. “We’ve obviously inherited her genes,” laughs Mason. “She’s a pretty good athlete.”
Back to Wales U20s. They won just one game out of five during the Six Nations, but with Grady in midfield alongside Joe Hawkins, the skipper, and Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins adding serious ballast at lock, they looked an altogether stronger proposition against Scotland in the U20 Summer Series opener in northern Italy. You can read more about the big Welsh win here.
The two wings, Oli Andrew and Harri Houston, impressed, while the back row of Ryan Woodman, Ethan Fackrell and Benji Williams proved effective and well-balanced.
At the heart of the pack, Tshiunza had a particularly strong game, hitting hard in defence — he didn’t miss with any of his 10 tackle attempts — carrying robustly and showing why he has already been capped at senior level.
“Everyone’s feeling positive,” said Grady. “Hopefully, we can do well in this competition.
“With Daf and Chris in the pack, it brings the experience we need to calm stuff down and do what we want to do to win games.
“The boys on the wing were good and I enjoyed playing alongside Joe. We understand each other on the field, so we don’t have to talk much as we just know where the other one will be. He’s a good guy and I thought we went well.”
What would Grady say were his strengths? “Probably my ball-carrying ability and my ability to break the line,” he says. “I’d like to think I can change a game with a carry. I also enjoy defending. I find it interesting watching players attack and then thinking how I could defend against them."
On social media after the Scotland game, one poster described Grady as “a monster” and his physical dimensions alone are likely to cause opponents much pause for thought over the next decade or so.
“It helps to be on the heavier side when it comes to ball-carrying and tackling,” he says. “Having a bit of speed helps, too. If I make a mistake, I can try to catch up and put it right.
“I prefer playing 13, but if I had to play on the wing, I wouldn’t kick up a fuss. I’m comfortable in both roles.
“Everyone knows that 13 is a tough position to defend, but I enjoy that side of it, while there’s also a lot of space to attack, to go around players and make a difference.”
Watch out for ex-Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg pupil Grady in Wales’ U20 Summer Series game with Georgia on Thursday.
Not every casual rugby observer will be familiar with him.
But that will change.
He is a player who’s set to make a significant mark in Welsh rugby in the seasons ahead.
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