Wales debutant's freakish breakdown stats are the best in Europe

Today James Davies will win his first cap for Wales and many think it’s long overdue.

Davies is 27-years-old, just two years younger than his more famous older brother Jonathan, yet it has taken until now for ‘Cubby Boi’ to gain international honours.

He’s a true openside – a backrow renowned for his abilities at the breakdown and  what’s more, the statistics back up the hype.

According to Opta, Davies has won 128 turnovers in 73 games for the Scarlets since his debut, which works out at an average of 1.8 turnovers per game is the best of any PRO14, Premiership or TOP 14 player in all competitions in that time.

1.8 – James Davies has won 1?2?8? turnovers in 7?3? games for @scarlets_rugby since his debut, his average of 1?.8?turnovers per game is the best of any PRO14, Premiership or TOP 14 player in all competitions in that time. Recognition. pic.twitter.com/12JYVULmyt

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 8, 2018

Only veteran groundhog Steffon Armitage can boast more turnovers.

128 – Overall, Steffon Armitage is the only PRO14, Prem or T14 player to have won more turnovers in all comps than James Davies since his debut:@Magicsteffo7 – 158 turnovers, 101 games@cubbyboi – 128, 73
Levani Botia – 109, 73@Dave_Ward2 – 106, 95
Said Hireche 91, 86

Jackal.

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 8, 2018

Despite standout performances for Pro14 champions the Scarlets, he has had wait in line at what has been a stacked Welsh backrow in recent years. Davies told the BBC that he feared the call up might never come: “It was frustrating, but I have tried to keep working.

“I felt like I have played consistently but I have not been getting that chance, so you do think it’s never going to happen.

“But we are here now, and I have got that chance, and I want to take it with both hands.

“It was frustrating, but I have tried to just keep working on what I need to do a bit better.”

Hard to think of more deserving debut than James Davies' or more patient international than Justin Tipuric. Given their talents, thrilling to see them on same pitch from start this weekend. However, that's not to decry Josh Navidi who has been excellent too #embarrassmentofriches

— Miles Harrison (@MilesHarrisonTV) March 7, 2018

Davies is no slouch over the ground either; he’s represented Wales Sevens and was part of the Great Britain squad that played in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

1st cap for James Davies in much changed Welsh team to face Italy #WALvITA #NatWest6Nations pic.twitter.com/TyQV7rwCBR

— Mike Pearce Rugby (@MPsportsdragon) March 7, 2018

His name ‘Cubby’ or ‘Cubby Boi’ is a derivative of his brother ‘Jonathan Davies’ nickname – “Fox”.