In 10 days’ time, again on English rugby’s hallowed turf, it could be his namesake – British and Irish Lions Test centre Jonathan Davies – who helps mastermind England’s downfall.
The odds might be against such a scenario unfolding, given that Davies has so far played just 40 minutes’ rugby since he suffered a torn pectoral muscle almost four months ago and subsequently underwent surgery.
Davies, though, is one of Wales’ blue-chip players, a proven big-game operator who has repeatedly thrived in international rugby’s pressure cooker environment.
And it is why Wales boss Warren Gatland should have little hesitation recalling Scarlets star Davies for the eagerly awaited RBS 6 Nations showdown, provided he comes through Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 appointment with Munster.
It could be argued that Gatland had his fingers burnt after selecting key forwards Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton against Ireland earlier this month when they lacked match sharpness following injury lay-offs, and he might be wary of a possible repeat with Davies.
Wales were thumped 26-3 in Dublin for a variety of reasons, but they bounced back to destroy France 27-6 – Wales’ biggest winning margin against Les Bleus since 1950 – less than two weeks later, with Jenkins and Warburton performing pivotal roles.
Gatland had a host of centres unavailable when Wales took on France, being unable to call on individuals like Davies, Scott Williams, Cory Allen, Owen Williams or Ashley Beck, and wing George North was moved from wing into midfield as a consequence.
North roaming menacingly on and off the wing, though, and Davies being back alongside his 2013 Lions third Test midfield partner Jamie Roberts would unquestionably enhance Wales’ Twickenham victory prospects.
Davies, 25, has been on the losing side just three times in 14 Six Nations appearances, and his x-factor presence would increase an already considerable degree of difficulty facing England’s young back division.
“Jon has contributed really well in training this week,” Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby said.
“It’s good to have him around. He adds quality into the playing squad, but he is also a very experienced player in terms of what he has done in the game.
“I think other players are starting to accept some responsibility within the (Scarlets) group, but Jon clearly has the right now to voice his opinion, and when he does it makes players respond.
“He worked really hard to get himself fit to potentially make the start of the Six Nations tournament.
“Following medical advice, we were happy to play him against London Irish (on February 1) and despite him coming through that initial 40 minutes of rugby it is good that he took a break and didn’t try to keep on going.
“Jon accepted that you have got to get it right before coming back, and he is in a better place now.”
England’s 13-10 victory over Ireland last time out left an impression on many, and the quality of that display did not go unnoticed in the Welsh camp.
Wales lock Luke Charteris said: “England look like they are a fitter team than France, and they will match us better on that side of things.
“They have looked very impressive and probably should have won their first (Six Nations) game against France. They will be disappointed they didn’t, and against Ireland and Scotland they looked really good.
“The last few years have always been big games in deciding the outcome of championships. This one isn’t an out-and-out decider, but it will certainly go a long way to deciding both teams’ fortunes.
“I am not much good at maths, but whoever loses will probably be out of the championship.”
And Charteris believes Wales’ record 30-3 demolition of England last season has little, if any, relevance to events at Twickenham on March 9.
“The boys played well that day and it was a pretty special game, but our team has changed and theirs has too. It’s a new campaign,” he added.
“Wales won that one, but it has gone and there has been a massive turnover in players since then. I don’t think that result will come into it at all.”
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-league-rovers-shock-rhinos-214247560.html
Rugby - Davies aims to repeat namesake feat
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