Callum Sheedy says he is enjoying his rugby more than he has done for years as he looks ahead to an exciting end to the season with Cardiff.
It was the fly-half’s place-kicking that ultimately proved the difference in a nail-biting 20-17 victory over the Emirates Lions at the Arms Park at the weekend, as he landed all four shots at goal, including three real testers.
Cardiff are now up to fifth in the United Rugby Championship table and right in the hunt for the play-offs, while they are also through to the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup, with a last 16 trip to Connacht coming up in two weeks’ time.
“We’ve worked so hard for seven months to put ourselves in a position where we are fighting for something,” said Sheedy.
“The boys who have been here for a while have said they haven’t had that feeling for a few years, where we have got six, seven games to go in the season and we are fighting in the league, we are fighting in Europe.
“We have all been there as players where we’ve been on the other end where it’s kind of dead rubbers and it’s a bit of a dull feeling, whereas the next few weeks are going to be so exciting for us as a group and it’s exactly where we want to be.”
Reflecting on the tense triumph over the Lions, Sheedy said: “Listen, we are not stupid as players. We see the league table, we know how tight it is, so that four points is huge.
“It gives us confidence now going to Treviso next week.
“I am really excited with where we can go this season. I think we are in a great place.”
READ MORE: Callum Sheedy Leads Welsh Fightback In URC To Earn Best Weekend For Three Years
Cardiff had to dig deep defensively in the dying minutes as the Lions hammered away in search of the winning score, but they held firm to secure the spoils.
“We found ourselves fighting for our life on our line,” said Sheedy.
“It was an unbelievable effort from the boys. It was great fight.”
As for life at Cardiff following his move from Bristol last summer, he says: “I love it here. I am probably enjoying my rugby more than I have for years.
“I am very fortunate to work under Jockey (Matt Sherratt). He’s unbelievable. Wales were very lucky to have him and we are very lucky to have him back.”
Sheedy landed two conversions from wide out, plus a 43 metre penalty amid a perfect display off the tee.
“I know I have missed kicks this season. Trust me, I am my own biggest critic,” said the 29-year-old.
“When I miss kicks, I feel like I let people down and I hate it. All I can do is go back and work harder and be the best version of myself. As long as I do that and I have the respect of my team-mates and the coaches, then I will sleep easy at night.
“The more games I can have like this, it makes those long days worth it, all those hours where you are in on your day off kicking and kicking after sessions.”
Giving his thoughts on the win, coach Matt Sherratt said: “It was a pivotal game. Everyone can see how tight the table is, so to pick those four points up was massive,
“It’s in our hands now, but we’ve still got to keep working hard.”
As for the dramatic finale, he said: “You almost feared the worst when they got five metres out because they are a big side.
“But you could see what it meant to the players in those last few minutes, holding them up over the line twice.
“We have been on the end of a few heartbreakers over the past 18 months, so it was brilliant to see how well we defended at the end.”
