'Sheedy came back from Jersey a new man and obviously the rest is history'
Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has revisited the time at Bristol when Callum Sheedy – this weekend’s Grand Slam-chasing bench back-up to Dan Biggar in Paris – was behind Billy Searle in the pecking order at Bristol.
Now the head coach at Worcester where Searle is among his out-half picks, Thomas earned his coaching stripes in the Bears set-up before switching to Sixways last year and he has now reflected on the differing developmental fortunes experienced by his current Warriors No.10 and Sheedy.
Searle was a frequent Bristol starter in the 2016/17 Premiership relegation season, a period when Sheedy headed to Championship outfit Jersey to get some game time, but the CVs both players now have read very differently.
It was 2018 when Searle switched to Wasps where he suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula in a freak collision against Bristol – of all teams – in February 2019, and he subsequently switched to Worcester last year during the lockdown.
In contrast to that unfortunate injury setback, Sheedy worked his way in Pat Lam’s plans at Bristol where he is now not only the No1 out-half pick with the current league leaders, he has also become an international in recent times, a recognition that includes his match-clinching scores against England last month.
'We were quite cliquey, little groups here and there… but it's now like going to work with your 40 best mates' – @Sheedy95 talks to @heagneyl about @BristolBears under Pat Lam and fellow out-half @Ian_madigan ? https://t.co/4trQYdtWam
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 26, 2019
While 25-year-old Sheedy is revelling in the highs, Searle, who celebrates his 25th birthday on March 25, is searching for a run of form at Worcester where he will bench on Saturday at Bath behind Fin Smith, the 18–year-old who is making his first Premiership start.
Thomas has every hope that Searle still has all the tools to become a long-term success. “I worked closely with Billy a few years ago at Bristol so I know what a quality player he is and the irony with him is when you look at someone like Callum Sheedy, Billy was ahead of him a number of years ago.
“Callum went out on loan to Jersey and Billy was the first-choice there at Bristol. Then Billy went to Wasps and unfortunately had that really bad leg break which kept him out for pretty much most of the season and then he has come to us at Worcester.
“The big thing for Billy now is he needs to play every week. He needs to get consistency and confidence. What do I make of his progress? Billy has got high standards. He is happy with where he is at but he is not satisfied in the sense that he knows there is a lot more to come from himself over the next couple of years in terms of his game and his ability to influence games.
“Callum is a great lad and always has been,” continued Thomas. “They were at similar stages in their careers and Billy was ahead. Then Sheedy came back from Jersey a new man and obviously the rest is history. He has gone from strength to strength.
“What it shows is what young men need is regular game time and Billy, while he is a quality player, has unfortunately had his development hampered in the last couple of years because of injuries. He had that nasty one at Wasps, his leg break, and since he has come to us he had a little bit of an injury as well but he is all good now. He is firing and I’m sure he will have a strong finish to the season.”
"What we are going through now is no surprise to me because when I signed up I knew what I was signing up to"
– Jonathan Thomas is on a five-game losing streak as new Worcester head coach and next up is his old club Bristol#PremRugby #WORvBRI https://t.co/k4NKYAfN6m
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 6, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments