Callum Sheedy set to quit Bristol and join Welsh URC club – report

Callum Sheedy is set to provide Welsh rugby with a timely recruitment boost as he is reportedly poised to quit the Gallagher Premiership for the URC.

The 28-year-old has starred for Pat Lam’s Bristol since a 2018 top-flight debut following an apprenticeship with the Bears at Championship level and he will soon be unveiled as a new Cardiff signing in an attempt to revive his stalled international career.

Sheedy was memorably the match-winner for Wales in their 2021 Guinness Six Nations win over England at the Principality Stadium but he hasn’t added to his tally of 16 caps since his three appearances off the bench in 2022 when Wayne Pivac was at the helm.

Stuart Lancaster discusses Owen Farrell’s move to Racing 92

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Stuart Lancaster discusses Owen Farrell’s move to Racing 92

Wales are now being coached again by Warren Gatland and while Sheedy is currently nursing a knee injury, the signing of a contract extension with Bristol would make him ineligible for a Test recall as he doesn’t have the requisite 25 caps needed to remain available for selection while based in the Premiership.

A switch to Cardiff – who this week confirmed their takeover by Helford Capital – would head off that ineligibility issue and provide Sheedy with the chance to try and fight his way back into the international fold.

The Sportsmail report revealing Sheedy’s switch from the Premiership to URC read: “Bristol’s Callum Sheedy is set for a cross-border switch to Welsh side Cardiff in a move which is likely to reignite the fly-half’s Test career.

“Sheedy was born in the Welsh capital but came through the system at the Bears and has been contracted to the Ashton Gate side for his entire professional club career.

“The 28-year-old is currently sidelined by a knee injury which meant he wasn’t considered for Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations.

“Sheedy has 16 caps for Wales but hasn’t played for his country since 2021. If he re-signed with Bristol, or any other club outside Wales, he would have become ineligible for international rugby under the Welsh Rugby Union’s controversial 25 cap selection ruling.

“Playing for Wales again – their head coach Gatland only has rookie Sam Costelow as a specialist No10 in his squad for the Six Nations – is an attraction for Sheedy. Mail Sport understands Sheedy’s move to Cardiff is set to be confirmed officially in the coming weeks.

“All four of Wales’ regions are operating on very tight financial playing budgets of circa £4.5million each for next season but Cardiff do have some money to spend after Wales internationals Tomos Williams and Rhys Carre agreed moves to English sides Gloucester and Saracens respectively.”