Gareth Davies: 'I feel like there is a bit of pressure on me to perform as well as he did'
Gareth Davies readily acknowledges that the battle for Wales’ number nine shirt is an intense one.
Scarlets scrum-half Davies has won the vote for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome, where victory would tighten Wales’ title grip and leave them one win away from a Grand Slam.
He takes over from Scarlets colleague Kieran Hardy, who marked his first Six Nations start with a try-scoring display when Wales clinched the Triple Crown by beating England last month.
Hardy, though, then suffered a hamstring injury, while Davies’ fellow 2019 World Cup scrum-half Tomos Williams is continuing his recovery from a hamstring problem that has sidelined him since this season’s opening Six Nations weekend.
With Cardiff Blues’ Lloyd Williams also in the scrum-half mix – and 2017 British and Irish Lion Rhys Webb not even part of Wayne Pivac’s current Wales squad – competition shows no sign of slowing up.
“Kieran was outstanding last week against England and was unfortunate to pick up that little hamstring injury,” Davies said, ahead of winning a 61st cap.
“I feel like there is a bit of pressure on me to perform as well as he did.
“It’s about doing the basics right, managing the game well, playing in the right areas and bringing as much tempo as possible.
“Throughout my whole career, there has always been a lot of competition for the scrum-half jersey, so I am used to it.
“I have always said that’s healthy as a player. It is only a good thing for the squad to have so much competition. It keeps us all on our toes.”
Davies will oppose Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney on Saturday – and they hail from neighbouring counties, with Carmarthenshire-born Davies lining up against a son of Pembrokeshire.
Gloucester prospect Varney, though, qualified for Italy through his mother and is in the early stages of a Test career with the Azzurri.
“It’s a small world, isn’t it?” Davies added.
“He is a Pembrokeshire boy and out there playing international rugby in Italy. It’s quite strange, but it is good for him.
“He has come through really well and he is a good player. I’ve watched him play a few times for Gloucester and played against him a little bit in the autumn internationals as well.
“We know what his strengths are, so we will have to keep an eye on him. I am looking forward to the competition.”
Wales are firm favourites to topple Varney and company on Saturday, chasing a 16th successive victory over Italy, while their hosts have not won a Six Nations game since 2015.
An anticipated Wales triumph would then set up a full-scale title and Grand Slam tilt against France in Paris next week.
“The team Wayne has picked for this week shows them (Italy) a lot of respect,” Davies said.
“It won’t be an easy challenge. I am sure it will be a tough game for us, but hopefully one we can come out on top of.”
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Very naughty boy!
Go to comments"Interestingly its you who now seem to be renouncing the UEFA style points system, because you don't like the outcome of reducing URC representation."
No, as I have clearly written and no need to be a "mind reader" this time, I don't like the outcome that half of the teams will be from Top14...
"What about 4 each + 4 to the best performing teams in last years competition not to have otherwise qualified?"
Because I don't think that having the possibility of a team finishing outside the quarter finals to qualify automatically will be a good idea. I'd rather have a team finishing 5th in their domestic league.
"Or what about a UEFA style system where places are allocated to leagues on the basis of their performance in previous years' competitions?"
You mean like the option I suggested like 3 times now? 😜 That will lead to have half of team from top14 and the end of the tournament.
"There's no point including Black Lion if they're just going to get whitewashed every year"
I genuinely disagree with that. I do think it's a decent team and are not doing too badly in the challenge cup.
"Maybe the best placed non-Israeli team and the Russian winners could play off every year for the spot?"
Based on the current geopolitics I won't bet on this happening anytime soon 😉
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