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'It's a good fit. He’s a Cardiff player, he’s got a good mentality'
By Simon Thomas
As Callum Sheedy prepares to make his BKT URC debut for Cardiff, coach Matt Sherratt has been outlining just what the fly-half has brought to the group since arriving from Bristol.
“He’s a great character, with a good balance between switching on when he needs - at team meetings and on the pitch - but then off the field he’s into everything, trying to poke people to get a reaction and he’s already become a popular member of the squad quite quickly,” said Sherratt.
“He’s got a good attitude, a good skill set and he will give us composure and an air of calmness on the field.
“In pressure situations, those one point games, he will give us a little bit of assuredness. He brings some know-how and a bit of coolness.
“He is obviously a Cardiff lad, he grew up watching here, standing on the terrace for many years, so it means a lot to him to play at the Arms Park.
“It's a good fit. He’s a Cardiff player, he’s got a good mentality.”
Sheedy has got the nod at No 10 over South African Tinus de Beer who started every league game bar one last season.
Sherratt said: “Callum is experienced enough to know his first challenge is to get into the team because Tinus was outstanding for us last season, winning players and supporters player of the year. So it’s a real tussle to get the shirt.”
Sheedy is one of eight players making their competitive debuts for Cardiff against a Zebre team who have a new man at the helm, with Massimo Brunello having switched from his role in charge of Italy U20s to take over from Fabio Rosselli.
Cardiff Rugby
1 Danny Southworth
2 Liam Belcher
3 Keiron Assiratti
4 Josh McNally
5 Teddy Williams
6 James Botham
7 Daniel Thomas
8 Ben Donnell
9 Aled Davies
10 Callum Sheedy
11 Iwan Stephens
12 Ben Thomas
13 Rey Lee-Lo
14 Mason Grady
15 Cameron Winnett
Substitutes:
16 Evan Lloyd
17 Ed Byrne
18 Rhys Litterick
19 Rory Thornton
20 Alun Lawrence
21 Johan Mulder
22 Tinus de Beer
23 Harri Millard
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Latest Comments
I remember first time I saw him play it must have been something like a SR finals match. My jaw dropped at this massive lock who just oozed skill and confidence. He is one of the greats, but it's stupid talking goats. There are other greats such as John eales, the best lock of his era by a mile, who kicked goals and won a rwc. Believe he still holds the lock points record. Colin meads is another comes to mind. Victor of course. Certainly eben belongs in the same space as those three, but no not better than them.
Go to commentsBall in hand on attack though Dmac is very creative. How do you rate that side of his game compared to the other international 10s around at the moment?
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