Callum Sheedy in dreamland having gone from ‘the guy getting drunk and cheering Wales in the pub’ to chasing Grand Slam glory with his heroes
- Callum Sheedy has been part of Wales group heading towards Grand Slam
- He has come off the bench in every game to help steer the team to victory
- Sheedy feels on cloud nine ahead of the massive game against France in Paris
Callum Sheedy is in dreamland this Grand Slam week, pinching himself that he is so close to glory with his Welsh heroes.
The Bristol fly-half, 25, has been Wales’ closer this Six Nations, guiding the team through the final minutes of each Test replacing stalwart Dan Biggar.
And with France in Paris left to beat for a clean sweep Sheedy feels like he is floating on Cloud Nine.
Callum Sheedy has bedded into the Wales team well and made contributions off the bench
‘It feels pretty surreal to be honest,’ said eight-cap Sheedy.
‘It hasn’t sunk it that I’m in the Six Nations never mind I’m one game away from a Grand Slam. It’s all happened so quick that I haven’t even got time to think about it. I grew up watching the grand slams over the years and the championships over the years.
‘I was the guy getting drunk at the pub, watching and cheering. It’s really special for me to be a part of this but it’s all happening so fast I haven’t even had time to think about it.
‘I’m sure when it’s finished I’ll be able to sit back at it.‘I would have laughed at you if you said two or three years ago I’d be playing for Wales in one cap never mind playing in the Six Nations or going four from four.
Sheedy scored against Italy and is learning a lot around the likes of Dan Biggar
‘It’s so hard to put into words how special it actually feels. I remember singing the anthem the first time during Ireland away and it’s so special it’s impossible to put into words. It’s the most special feeling you’ll ever have.’
Mixing it with the likes of Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar, Sheedy has sometimes felt star-struck
‘When I’m sat in the team room next to Alun Wyn Jones and I’m thinking oh my god it’s Alun Wyn Jones next to me!’ he added.
‘Out on the pitch I guess you just get into your character in rugby mode and it all sort of clicks. It is weird when I’m sat down having lunch with Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones.
‘The thing with AWJ is he’s just a normal guy. The first time I met him I was a bit nervous but he just makes you feel so comfortable and at ease.
The Bristol fly-half is not fazed by the prospect of having a kick to win the Grand Slam
Alun Wyn Jones (centre) was accommodating and made him feel welcome, says Sheedy
‘It doesn’t matter if it’s your first cap or you’ve won a hundred caps he treats you exactly the same and that goes for all the experienced lads in the camp. The way they treat the younger lads, especially in the autumn, was amazing and made me feel welcome.
‘In terms of being able to fit in you’ve got to believe you’ve been picked for a reason and you’ve got to believe you’re good enough otherwise there’s no point being here.
‘Biggs is a fantastic player who has had a great tournament and he was fantastic again against Italy. For me to learn from someone like Biggs who has 90-plus caps I can really see why he’s had that and why he’s at the top of the game in world rugby.
‘For me to be able to learn from someone like him is special for me and it’s working well at the moment with him playing and me coming off the bench.‘I’d like to think I belong here.
’With Wales’ final game in Paris this Saturday likely to be tight Sheedy is not fazed, ready to clinch the Championship for his country if required.
‘I guess as a kicker there’s a high possibility it could happen,’ he said on the prospect of having a kick to win it.
‘You never know do you? As a rugby player you always visualise you kicking the winning kick or scoring the winning try.
‘I guess when I’m in bed my mind does wonder to it I suppose. I’ll definitely think of it tonight now!
The 25-year-old could yet have a decisive part to play in Wales’ showdown with France
‘I guess that’s why you do the training for. You practice all week, and you practice all your life for kicks and it’s no different if it’s in the 80th minute or the first minute.
‘You’ve just got to trust your process and back yourself. If there’s a kick in the 80th minute to win the Grand Slam I’ll be more than happy to take that.
‘It’s the toughest task to go to France away.
‘The 9pm kick-off, the travel, everything is against you but the thing with Wales is that when their backs are against the wall they’ll come out kicking and punching.
‘It’s a massive task but if you win it it’s going to be extra special.’
Wales have a full squad to pick from for the French game, with scrum-half Tomos Williams fit again after hamstring trouble.