Callum Sheedy labels return a ‘special feeling’ as he prepares for debut

Former Bristol Bears player Callum Sheedy is set to make his hometown debut on Friday evening as Cardiff welcome Bath to the Arms Park for a pre-season friendly.

Sheedy had returned to Cardiff this season after an entire professional term at Bristol, scoring 1,150 points in 178 appearances. At the time, Sheedy had said: “If life has taught me one thing over the past 18 months, it is that family comes first, and this is a move which feels like it’s the right time for me in my career and life.”

Y Tîm | The Team 🆚 @BathRugby

©️ Liam Belcher
8⃣ Changes to starting XV
1⃣2⃣ Mason Grady#AlwaysCardiff 🔵⚫️ pic.twitter.com/cyIM3v7lvZ

ADVERTISEMENT

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) September 5, 2024

Speaking to BBC Sport Wales recently, Sheedy spoke about returning to the city he grew up in, saying: “It’s quite a surreal feeling to train here everyday, I get weirdly nervous for training which never happens,

“I remember coming here as a young kid with my dad – it’s a really special feeling to be back here, it really does feel like home.

“The experience at Bristol was very special, to have 10 years there, it’s a club that will always be close to my heart.

“I felt like it was the right time to move and as soon as I spoke to Matt Sherratt and found out there was a chance, I was really keen to make it happen.”

Sheedy will line up on the bench as he watches new teammate Tinus de Beer control proceedings at fly-half before likely getting his opportunity early into the second half.

Wales international Callum Sheedy has labelled his return to home-city team Cardiff as a “surreal feeling”.#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/GMEB6aQ7jg

— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) September 6, 2024

Having endured heavy competition at fly-half from AJ MacGinty in his final couple of seasons at Bristol, Sheedy knows the importance of multiple options.

“Competition is always good and it’s healthy. You look across the squad, there’s not one position where we aren’t two or three deep, it’s an encouraging sign for Cardiff.”

Having fallen down the pecking order for Wales, Sheedy could well be up for reselection should his Cardiff venture prove fruitful, but that wasn’t part of his decision to cross the Severn Bridge.

“It wasn’t in the front of my mind when I came back, I wanted to come back and play for Cardiff.

“At the same time I know if I play well for Cardiff then who knows what will happen.”

The fly-half has also praised the opportunity to play in the URC, and feels Cardiff fans can expect a competitive season.

“It was another factor, obviously playing in the Prem for 10 years was amazing and I loved it, but to be able to experience a different league and different countries is great.”