Image source, BBC Sport

Cardiff fly-half Callum Sheedy says he did not realise his "header" against Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship would go viral. Sheedy headed the ball forward after chasing his own kick in the second half of the 21-15 victory against Scarlets on Saturday night. The clip has had more than 800,000 hits across social media.

"I probably wasn't thinking at the time, that was the problem," said Sheedy. "I remember the ball sitting up, and I could see Blair [Murray] coming towards me, and I thought it was going be an aerial contest. "I thought there needed to be a way of me getting the ball past him, and there wasn't enough time to get it down to my foot, so the nearest body part was my head." It all happened so fast.

Sheedy says he was unaware of the appeal of the clip. "I had a laugh, looking back at the video and the boys give me a bit of stick," said Sheedy. "I didn't think of it at the time. After the game, I'd gone on my phone and my Instagram had blown up a bit. I'm glad people are enjoying it."

Sheedy says he was unsure whether using his head was allowed in rugby's laws, with former World Cup final referee Nigel Owens taking to social media stating he thought it was illegal if it was deliberate. "I think it's a split 50-50 among the public," said Sheedy.

Sheedy's exploits evoke memories of another former Cardiff maverick fly-half Mark Ring. "I am waiting for Ringo [Mark Ring] to text me and I expect him to," said Sheedy.

Cardiff fly-half resources and home comforts Sheedy played his part in the victory in Llanelli before being replaced in the second half by Jarrod Evans, who has returned to Cardiff from Harlequins this season. With Ioan Lloyd, who is currently injured, also in the Cardiff ranks, head coach Corniel van Zyl has three Wales fly-halves to call on.

Cardiff return to the Arms Park to face Zebre on Friday night, where they lost only one home game last season. "It does make a big difference," said Sheedy.

Corniel speaks a lot about making the Arms Park a fortress and we managed that last season.

Embracing expectations of Cardiff There is also expectation on Cardiff this season after their sixth-place finish in the 2025-26 campaign and qualifying for the Champions Cup.

Cardiff will name their side to face Zebre on Thursday and have back three injury concerns with wing Mason Grady (head cut) and full-back Cameron Winnett (head) both major doubts. Wales wing Josh Adams is still missing with a calf problem, while Iwan Stephens and Theo Cabango are long-term casualties. Wing Tom Bowen is line to come into the starting side for Friday with centre Harri Millard another option on the other flank, with Jacob Beetham able to switch to full-back.