Rugby Sheedy’s absence from Wales squad could be a boost for Bristol
Ioan is here for at least two more years and at the moment they are not in the Welsh squad so it is a non-issue
BRISTOL Bears fly-half Callum Sheedy has not been selected for Wales’ summer tour to South Africa.
Sheedy, 26, has 16 caps for Wales and featured three times off the bench during the 2022 Guinness Six Nations. However, head coach Wayne Pivac has opted to leave him out of the summer series.
Instead, Pivac has opted to take Northampton Saints’ Dan Biggar, who has been named captain again, along with Osprey’s Gareth Anscombe and Scarlets’ Rhys Patchell as his fly-half options as part of a 33-player squad for the three-Test series this July.
While the exclusion will no doubt come as a disappointment for Sheedy, his loss of a place in the Wales squad could provide a boost to Bears director of rugby Pat Lam when it comes to trying to keep the Welshman at the club beyond his contract.
Under the WRU selection criteria rules, Sheedy, who will be competing for the starting 10 jersey at the Bears with USA international AJ MacGinty next season, will be ineligible for Wales selection if he resigns with Bristol beyond his contract, which has at least another season to run.
Bristol’s talented utility back Ioan Lloyd has also been overlooked again, having earned two caps off the bench in the autumn of 2020 only to be cast aside, although at still just 21, it is far too soon to be writing off his international career.
Asked in midweek whether he has concerns about being able to keep Sheedy and Lloyd at the club moving forwards, Lam said: “At the moment it is not a problem. They are Bears players and that is the most important thing at the moment.
“Ioan is here for at least two more years and at the moment they are not in the Welsh squad so it is a non-issue.
“They enjoy it here and they want to stay and we will just crack on until it is an issue. Everything can change, you never know what is around the corner.”
As for those who are in the Wales squad this summer, George North and Dan Lydiate return for international duty after extended periods out with injury. Ospreys’ teammate Sam Parry, who spent a brief spell on loan at Bristol, will join
them in camp with Wales. There are two uncapped players: Cardiff Rugby’s James Ratti is called up after featuring in the Six Nations squad, while Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell is selected in a Wales senior men’s squad for the first time.
Pivac said: “We’ve had some players come back from injury like George North so that’s exciting for the squad. Some players have been ruled out through injury, so there’s naturally going to be change there. Then we’ve looked at players’ form, who we are playing, where we’re playing - we have two games at altitude - and what our game-plan will be when considering selection.
“I spoke to Tommy Reffell before we announced the squad for the Six Nations. We looked hard at Tommy and decided to leave him out then. He’s played very well since, he’s been very consistent one of the most consistent players in the English Premiership so we feel that he deserves an opportunity and he will be well tested on this tour.
“This three-Test series is going to be a challenge. It always has been, history shows that and certainly that’s what we’re looking to achieve - to get a victory there if not two and win a series. The first two Tests at altitude are going to be a challenge, so first and foremost we’ve got to do a lot of preparation here in Wales before we go and make sure we are in the best shape possible to perform well.
On the captaincy, Pivac added: “Dan Bigger is named captain. We’ve obviously got great leadership in the group with Alun Wyn and Dan. Dan did well in the Six Nations and Al has come back from a pretty big lay-off. He’s had a little bit of rugby and we want him to hit his straps as a second row and be the best player he can be and focus on playing. He’s looking forward to that challenge.”
Dave Ward named Bristol’s new scrum coach - Page 45