Callum Sheedy: 'We have spoken about making the city proud of us'

Welsh rugby enjoyed its most successful weekend in the league for more than three years amid a hat-trick of victories for the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Rugby.

It’s the best return since all four regions won in March 2021. There have been three wins since then, but not all against teams from other countries.

To hear Hymns and Arias echoing around Welsh grounds over the weekend was an indication of just how much the victories meant after some tough times.

Franco Smith and Huw Jones on Scotland versus South Africa

Franco Smith and Huw Jones on Scotland versus South Africa

The most dramatic triumph came at the Arms Park where Cardiff staged a stunning second half comeback to turn around a 19-0 deficit and beat Ulster Rugby 21-19.

It was left to fly-half Callum Sheedy to land what proved to be the match-winning conversion ahead of a huge defensive effort in a nerve-jangling last play, with the final whistle signalling scenes of jubilation both on and off the field.

Points Flow Chart

Cardiff Rugby win +2

Time in lead

14

Mins in lead

54

17%

% Of Game In Lead

67%

15%

Possession Last 10 min

85%

0

Points Last 10 min

0

Giving his thoughts, Sheedy said: “We came in at half-time and it wasn’t a great position to be in, 19-0 down, but there was no panic.

“We just knew we had to fire some shots, throw some punches and the second half is probably the best our attack has looked all season.

“We talk about fight and it was there in abundance in the second half.

“Those last 90 seconds, when you are defending and they are throwing everything at us, those are the reasons you play the game.

“To have that feeling in the changing room where you know you have left literally everything out there and to come away with the win and see the Arms Park like that, it’s really special.

“It was an awesome second half and we will really grow from that.”

Sheedy added: “I thought the crowd were outstanding. That really does give us a boost when it’s in those tight finishes.

“It was amazing. To hear them singing and really getting behind the boys in the last five minutes when we were cooked was really special. I enjoyed that. It definitely helped us get over the line.

“We have spoken about making the city proud of us and we knew we had to really put a marker down to keep them coming back, to make them proud of us, and we obviously went 19-0 down so they would be even more proud of us at the end!

“In all seriousness, you are hoping there will be kids going home from the Arms Park who will be playing for their local rugby club saying ‘Did you watch that game? I want to be like those players’.

“If we are doing that, then we are ticking boxes.”

He concluded: “The connection the players and the crowd have here is really special, with all the kids running on the pitch at the end of the game. I love it. I think it’s awesome.

“As players, we are in the entertainment business. Without the crowd, we are nothing, so to be able to put a smile on their faces is great.”