Mason Grady earns reward for bright performances off the bench with a start for Cardiff when they face Newcastle Falcons in the EPCR Challenge Cup encounter at the Arms Park today (1).He is one of eight changes coach Dai Young makes after last weekend’s home defeat in the United Rugby Championship to the Scarlets.The young centre, an imposing presence at 6ft 5in and 17st 4lb, impressed against the west Walians with a number of strong runs and he also caught the eye against the Dragons, in the process giving Warren Gatland a nudge ahead of Wales' Six Nations squad naming.He'll want to be on the same beat today.
Lloyd Williams and Rhys Priestland come in at half-back, while Jason Harries takes the place of the injured Liam Williams.Up front, Cory Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti feature at prop, with Teddy Williams packing down at lock and Ellis Jenkins featuring at openside flanker.
The suspicion is Newcastle haven’t totally been throwing everything at this competition, with the English club bottom of the Pool A after defeats in their two outings to date.
They also make eight changes with centre Pete Lucock back from injury, one of four changes behind the scrum.The expectation is they will perform better this afternoon.Cardiff: Josh Adams; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kirby Myhill, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Teddy Williams, Josh Turnbull (captain), Ellis Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Efan Daniel, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, James Ratti, James Botham, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Harri MillardNewcastle Falcons: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Sam Stuart; 1