Cardiff Rugby fly-half Callum Sheedy insists the squad are in a strong position heading into Saturday’s clash with Connacht – and he wants to turn the Arms Park into a fortress.

The creative 10 is enjoying his rugby more than ever after settling back into life at Cardiff and he believes there’s plenty to be excited about  at the club ahead of Saturday’s clash with Connacht at the Arms Park.

The fly-half was encouraged by his first taste of action at Thomond Park last weekend and he wants to build on the Blue & Blacks encouraging start to the season. 

“Yeah, it was good. We were disappointed with the result but my first experience at Thomond Park was pretty cool,” said Sheedy.

“Facing a tough Munster side, again, just disappointed we didn’t come away with the five points in the end.”

Despite the frustration, Sheedy says there were encouraging signs in the team’s performance and believes the squad is moving in the right direction.

Personally, he feels in a strong place after an uninterrupted pre-season, something he hasn’t enjoyed for several years.

“I’m playing okay. I felt pretty happy towards the end of last season — my last five or six games I was in a good place,” he explained.

“I’ve had a full pre-season for the first time in about four years, which has been nice. I feel fit, I feel well.

“Obviously having the help from Leigh now is every Welsh kicker’s dream. To have Leigh standing behind you and giving that guidance. So yeah, we’re in a good place.”

The fly-half has also enjoyed reconnecting with Ioan Lloyd, with whom he shares a strong bond from their time together at Bristol.

“Ioan is someone I got on really well with from the Bristol days. I actually used to mentor him. I remember when he was an 18-year-old kid,” smiled Sheedy.

“Now he’s told me he’s 25 or something, which makes me feel really old! But it’s great to work with him again.”

That friendship, however, comes with a healthy competitive edge as both vie for the Cardiff No.10 jersey – something Sheedy believes can only raise standards within the squad.

“He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever shared a training pitch with, to be honest. He’s class,  a real freak talent,” he added.

“It’s only going to make us both better if we compete for the jersey.”

Attention now turns to Saturday night’s visit of Connacht, a side Cardiff faced three times last season with all three contests going the way of the Irish province.

“We played them three times last year and came second three times, so we know they’re a very good outfit,” said Sheedy.

“They’re very well coached under their new setup, and I’ve got a good friend out there in Joe Joyce. It sounds like they’re in a really good place. We’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a huge task Saturday night.”

Still, Sheedy insists the focus remains on Cardiff’s own progress and the challenge of making the Arms Park a place no team enjoys visiting.

“We’ve spoken about ourselves too — we’re in a good place, and we’ve got to make this home a bit of a fortress and make sides not want to come here.”