For Grady it will be a chance to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother, the Ospreys and Wales centre Cory Allen, who made his debut for the Blue & Blacks in 2011. Grady will play on the right wing, while Lloyd features among the replacements.
“We’ve made a few changes over the last few games and this is a reflection of the quality that we have within our squad,” said Cardiff head coach Steve Law.
“In the last few weeks we have brought in some of the younger players from the Blues Academy – Teddy Williams has played three times for us as an 18-year-old, and this week we’ve brought in Mason Grady on the wing.
“At 17 years, 7 months he becomes the second youngest starter in the Premiership for the Blue & Blacks. He is joined by Ethan Lloyd, who will win his first cap off the bench at 18.
“Both have impressed in the Academy set up this season and playing against Ebbw Vale will give them the opportunity to learn experiences, both good or bad, in the Premiership. Those experiences are both helpful and necessary for their development and to help them reach their full potential.
“This week’s game is the first of the double header against Ebbw Vale. Next week we meet them in the Specsavers Cup.
“We’ve been preparing for what the Steelmen will bring to the Arms Park. We know they have quality players, an excellent set piece and they will be coming looking to get a result. We’ve had a great start to the season and being unbeaten is a reward for that, but we are setting ourselves standards not goals.”
Last season when Ebbw Vale came calling at the Arms Park the Steelmen were buried under an avalanche of 11 tries. Given the form the Blue & Blacks have been in this season, the visitors will be hoping not to suffer a similar fate.
There is a stark contrast in fortunes between the two clubs this season. Cardiff have opened up a lead at the top of the table with a 100 per cent record, while Greg Woods’ Ebbw Vale outfit have managed just one win from their five outings.
Last weekend they lost at home for the second time this season when bottom-of-table Llanelli went to Eugene Cross Park and took all five points. That got their campaign off the mark and cut the gap between themselves and the Steelmen to a single point.
“There is no margin for error in any game this season. It is tougher than it ever has been in the Premiership,” admitted Ebbw Vale coach Woods.
While Woods and his team will travel with some trepidation to the Arms Park, where Cardiff haven’t lost in the league since the opening game of last season, the home side will be looking to pile the pressure on second placed Aberavon. The Wizards had to postpone their fixture last weekend and could find themselves trailing by as many as 12 points when they go into their game at Pontypridd tomorrow (Saturday).
They obviously have a game in hand over the league leaders, but they look like having to maintain their own unbeaten run if they are to reach one of the key milestones of the season when they travel to the Arms Park on 23 November.
Having already won at Merthyr and Bridgend this season they won’t fear travelling to Sardis Road, even though Justin Burnell’s men have just posted back-to-back wins over Ebbw Vale and Bridgend. That moved Ponty up to fourth in the table.
The champions, Merthyr, got back to winning ways at Newport on Sunday following the return from World Cup duty by their head coach Dale McIntosh, and they will be hoping to stay in the groove when they head to Swansea.
Llandovery host Newport, while Carmarthen Quins welcome RGC 14054, in the other fixtures this weekend.
Indigo Group Premiership
Friday, 1 November
Cardiff v Ebbw Vale (7.30 pm)
Saturday, 2 November
Carmarthen Quins v RGC 1404
Llandovery v Newport
Pontypridd v Aberavon
Swansea v Merthyr
