Pat Lam has told Callum Sheedy to keep his head up after being overlooked by Wales again for the autumn international series.
While Wales were taking on the All Blacks in Cardiff yesterday, outside-half Sheedy, below, was lining up for Bristol at Ashton Gate against Saracens having been passed over for the summer our to South Africa.
The Wales head coach Wayne Pivac did not turn to the 20-cap Sheedy despite being without injured skipper Dan Biggar with Gareth Anscombe starting and Rhys Priestland on the bench.
“He has to keep his head up,” said Lam, Bristol's director of rugby. “I am in regular contact with Wayne and the fact he is ringing to ask about Cal shows he is in their plans.
“It is when they do not ring you know they are not. Wayne gives me and Cal feedback and he has to play well for the club, which he has been doing. A difficulty for Cal is that he is not available cited about the addition of for Wales's final game against Australia because he is based in England and would not be released. He is in competition with local based players and all he can do is focus on what he is doing here.
“He has to be significantly better than the guys who are there. Biggar has been in the same boat playing for Northampton, but he is at a different level with his experience and he is Wales's captain.
“The message to Cal is that he is still on Wales's radar and experiences of other and he must never give up. Look at the numbers who have come and gone with England. There are any number in the same boat as him having had a taste of international rugby and he has to take note of the feedback and act on it.”
England's head coach Eddie Jones caused a stir last week when he included Bristol's wing Siva Naulago on the list of players who were unavailable for the autumn campaign because of injury.
Naulago, a Fijian, qualifies for England having served in the British Army for more than a decade. He has not played since April man.”
when he had knee surgery and has only played 13 matches for the Bears since switching codes from Hull FC two years ago.
Known as the tank on the flank, the 16st wing had been earmarked for a return at the end of the month, but Lam said he was now not sure of the exact date.
“There is still a question mark and he will come back when we know for sure,” he said. “Eddie is very keen on Siva, but he has struggled with niggles and injuries since joining us. When he gets back playing, there is a chance with England down the line.”
