Callum Sheedy has urged Cardiff to embrace the occasion as they prepare for a huge BKT United Rugby Championship Welsh derby against the Scarlets this weekend (Saturday, 17:30 KO).

As the race for the play-offs intensifies, the first of two back-to-back Welsh derbies sees the Blue & Blacks travel to Parc y Scarlets in search of a crucial victory in their bid to secure a top-eight finish.

Speaking ahead of the East vs West clash, the fly-half reflected on the lessons learned from last seasons near miss, when the team finished just one point outside the play-off places.

“For the club, for the city, for us to be able to get to a playoff would be awesome. That’s the end goal, but there’s plenty of work to do before that.

“Obviously last year we finished a point outside the playoffs and those last four games, we took some good learnings from them. I think it’s important as a squad we don’t get too carried away. It’s very cliché but it is very, very important, especially with these Welsh derbies, to take it one week at a time.”

Despite the pressure, Sheedy underlined the scale of the challenge awaiting Cardiff in Llanelli. Although the Scarlets currently sit 14th in the URC table, they have been building momentum heading into the closing stages of the season.

“It doesn’t get any tougher than that. We’re really excited for the challenge. Scarlets away is a very, very tough place to go. We’ve had a really good prep and I’m sure they have as well. It’s going to be a great game and it’s going to have a big bearing on the URC table.

“They’re a very good side, very well-rounded and playing well at the moment. We watched their game away at Leinster where they probably should have been a couple of scores up early on. We know their players very well as well, boys who played excellent for Wales in the Six Nations. It’s going to be a massive challenge away from home, a hostile crowd, but these are the games you’ve got to be excited for.”

There is no shortage of motivation heading into derby day, with a clear buzz around the club as Cardiff look to take control of their own destiny. Sheedy, who returned to the club in 2024, believes the squad must fully embrace the occasion.

“There’s a great energy around the club this week, it’s been awesome. It feels like derby week, it feels like there’s a Welsh derby at the end of it – that’s why we play the game and why we play for Cardiff. Last year we were waiting on other results, but now it’s in our hands, and that’s a nice feeling.”

“I remember when I came in, we spoke about finding enjoyment – we want to be in these big games, and here we are, so let’s enjoy it.”