Forgotten man who can still shine again
THE career of a professional sportsperson is rarely plain sailing with many ups and downs along the way. As former United States army general George Patton once famously said “the test of success is not what you do when you are on top. Success is as high you bounce back when you hit the bottom.”
That will certainly be the challenge for Wales’ forgotten man Callum Sheedy who has endured a bumpy ride since winning the last of his international caps in the infamous defeat to Italy at the end of the 2022 Six Nations.
It feels far longer but it was only two years ago the mainstream media were discussing what country the Bristol Bears outside-half should opt to play for with Sheedy eligible for England, Ireland, and Wales.
At the time the man from Cardiff was widely considered to be among the best playmakers in the Gallagher Premiership, and although he’d played for England in an uncapped game against the Barbarians, he accepted Wayne Pivac’s invitation to represent the land of his birth.
While he was never the finished product Sheedy impressed for Wales during their 2021 Six Nations title winning campaign, playing a vitally important, yet unheralded role, from the replacements bench.
Sheedy made some telling contributions when replacing Dan Biggar, notably in Wales’ come from behind victory over Scotland at Murrayfield, and the Triple Crown winning Test against England at the Principality Stadium.
Nobody expected him to develop into a world beater but he looked certain to become a solid Test player at the very least.
However, things haven’t quite gone to plan with Sheedy finding himself trapped in the international wilderness.
Sheedy has always been very highly rated by Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam who played a critical role in turning him into a Test player in the first place.
“I said this to Wayne Pivac when we talked about him, Callum is a dream game plan player – however you want to play, he’ll learn it,” said Lam ahead of Sheedy’s Wales debut back in 2021.
“Callum is someone who gives everyone real clarity and is able to drive it forwards. But I think the biggest thing is, he’s constantly reviewing things and looking at ways to get better. His skills are great but his understanding of how we want to play is class.”
But Sheedy has experienced a turbulent time at club level since Bristol signed the under-rated US Eagles outside-half AJ MacGinty from Sale Sharks, dropping in and out of the side.
His form took a hit as a result but towards the end of the season Sheedy looked to be back somewhere towards his best.
Missing out on the opportunity of representing Wales at the Rugby World Cup would undoubtedly have come as a blow, but it’s worth remembering he is still only 27, young enough to play in Australia in four years time.
Sheedy has slipped from the conscious of
many supporters while others may have dismissed his chances of wearing the red jersey again, but they’d be very naive to rule him out.
Wales’ first choice playmakers Dan Biggar, and Gareth Anscombe are 33 and 32, respectively, meaning there is no guarantee they will be available for international selection after the World Cup, while Jarrod Evans is ineligible after signing for Harlequins.
Prodigious Scarlets talent Sam Costelow looks to be the likeliest heir to Biggar’s throne, and probably has the highest ceiling of the Welsh number 10s.
Owen Williams, who is a current member of the squad, has extended his contract with the Ospreys, and one would expect the former Leicester, Gloucester, and Worcester man to remain in the mix but he is also the wrong side of 30.
Elsewhere, there is young Dragons prospect Will Reed, and the experienced Rhys Patchell who has been affected badly with injuries over the past few seasons. All of a sudden the cupboard is looking very bare at outside-half post 2023.
Sheedy will also be presented with what could be a very difficult choice over the next season or two. Given he has only won 16 caps for Wales he will likely have to sign for a Welsh region if he wishes to remain eligible.
Given the financial challenges the four Welsh sides face there is no guarantee any could even afford him, but the rule is clear.
Wales cannot afford to give up hope on Sheedy who has proven he can be at the very least a solid and reliable option at Test level when at his best.