The Bristol Bears pair were on Tuesday named in a 38-man Welsh squad for the upcoming autumn campaign as two of seven uncapped players.
Fly-half Sheedy, 24, has been a key figure for a Bears side who have secured their place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs and the European Challenge Cup final this season.
On being named in the Wales squad, Sheedy said: “It feels a bit surreal. I feel really proud and can’t wait to get going. Pat Lam talks a lot about international standards and being world class.
“Obviously I don’t know what the international set-up is going to be like, but as far as what Pat drives here, it’s as close to international as I can imagine.
“Every day he is pushing us whether it’s extra skill work or extra analysis work. Pat and the coaching staff are amazing and I know I wouldn’t be anywhere near an international call-up if it wasn’t for him and the coaches so I owe a hell of a lot to them.”
Cardiff-born Sheedy has learned from some of Wales’ biggest names coming through the ranks at Bristol and has thrived under the guidance of Bears director of rugby Lam.
“It feels so long ago when I was 18 or 19 and working with Nicky Robinson, Adrian Jarvis and Gavin Henson – these guys have been great mentors,” he added.
“But working with Ian Madigan over the last few years has been absolutely unbelievable for me. I think he took my game to another level with the competitive edge he brought to training and the way he drove me on.
“Without Mads, along with Pat and Conor McPhillips, Sean Marsden and Bruce Reihana, I don’t think I’d be anywhere near an international call-up so I owe a hell of a lot to those guys.
“When I watch my games back, I’m never satisfied. I could do 100 good things, but it’s that one bad thing that will stick out in my mind.
“I don’t want to change too much. The biggest thing is just trying to pick up on game plan, pick up on the different techniques that the coaches want, and just try and learn and grow my game as much as possible.
“For now we’ve got two trophies to win before we move on to international camp in a few weeks.”
Lloyd represented Wales at Under 20 level and has come through the Bristol academy.
At just 19 he is capable of playing full-back, wing and fly-half.
“It’s a dream come true to get the call up. I’m just really excited to get in there now and see what it’s all about. I was pretty much in shock when I found out, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Lloyd said.
“It’s taken me the last hour or so to try and process it all and I still need to speak to my parents. I’m very excited and can’t wait to get going.
“Going in is going to be a bit of a shock, seeing all of the boys I have watched growing up playing for both for Wales and the Lions. It’s going to be a bit surreal at first, but I can’t wait to get in to camp and learn off of them. So much has changed in the last year – the professional game is so different to school rugby. From watching all of the boys here, one thing I’ve learned about being a professional is it’s a lifestyle – it’s not just what you do when you’re at the ground.
“All of the boys here are so committed all of the time – you can see that people are going home and doing their analysis, doing their prep and boys are in at all hours.
“It doesn’t matter what time you get to the club in the morning, there’s always someone here before you – it’s usually Sheedo.
“If boys feel they need to do extras or more prep in the morning, they’re here doing yoga, or stretching, or getting treatment.”
