Reports indicate that Premiership rivals Gloucester Rugby are eyeing Bristol Bears and Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy.
Sheedy, aged 28, has represented Wales 16 times but has been absent from the international scene since the 2021/22 season. As his current contract with the Bears is set to expire at the end of the season, the Bristol academy product faces a crucial decision. However, re-signing with Pat Lam’s side or any other non-Welsh club would eliminate his chances of international selection, as he does not possess the 25 caps required to sign a new contract outside of Wales and remain eligible as per WRU rules. Welsh rugby officials are closely monitoring the situation, with the national team’s attack coach Alex King recently visiting Bristol’s High Performance Centre to meet with Sheedy, given the openings at stand-off.
Wales, who brought three fly-halves to the Rugby World Cup, currently find themselves without any of them available, with Dan Biggar having retired and Gareth Anscombe and Scarlets’ Sam Costelow sidelined due to injury shortly before the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Although Costelow could potentially return in January, the situation remains uncertain. Amidst the financial struggles in Welsh club rugby, Sheedy might be enticed by a more lucrative contract offer in the Premiership.
The Rugby Paper reports that Gloucester’s director of rugby, George Skivington, is considering a move for Sheedy, particularly with the future of Scotland international Adam Hastings still uncertain. Hastings, who joined Kingsholm in the summer of 2021 from Glasgow Warriors, has faced a series of injuries, impacting his time at the club. As Gloucester looked to fill the gap created by Hastings’ absence, they have utilized Argentina international Santiago Carreras at fly-half, although Skivington prefers him at full-back. Considering these circumstances, signing Sheedy would offer the assurance of his availability for every game without international clashes. Additionally, Sheedy boasts an impressive injury record and has enjoyed a sustained run of appearances for the Bears this season, particularly with AJ MacGinty experiencing a hamstring injury on the opening day of the Premiership season.
