Bancyfelin rugby playing brothers Jonathan and James Davies to go head to head

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BANCYFELIN has produced a number of quality players and hot on the heels of Jonathan is young brother James, and the brothers are set to go head to head today.

James, who was named WRPA Sevens player of the season earlier this month, has been included in the Possibles squad to face the Probables in a trial to win a place on Wales’s summer tour to South Africa this Friday.

The inclusion of the Carmarthen Quins openside, who has just signed a deal with the Scarlets, was arguably a shock.

The 23-year-old is yet to start a regional match for the Scarlets, with his two appearances coming as a replacement in LV= Cup matches against the Dragons and Saracens.

But his older brother said James deserved his success.

“It’s excellent for him,” he said. “He’s had a couple of years on the sevens circuit.

“I wouldn’t class myself as a sevens expert but he’s done well. He deserves it.

“The Scarlets is the best place for him, they’re a great bunch of boys.”

Jonathan said he was looking forward to going up against his young brother at Friday’s trial too.

“We played against each other in the back yard but in a match with a referee it could be interesting.

“It will be interesting to see.”

Jonathan added there would be no holding back: “I’m sure he will be trying to take my head off.”

James has also admitted it will be like old times when he goes head to head with big brother Jonathan in Friday’s Probables v Possibles trial in Swansea.

This time, though, it won’t be about bragging rights in the back garden of their Bancyfelin home.

The prize could be a place on the plane to South Africa.

“I always used to smash him up in the back garden when playing when we were growing up as kids, so it’s going to be like old times,” smiled Davies junior.

“Saying that he’s always been very supportive of me and my rugby and tried to keep me on the right pathway.”

While British Lions centre Davies has picked up the nickname of Jon ‘Fox’ during his career — his parents run the Fox and Hounds pub in Bancyfelin — Carmarthen Quins James is widely known as ‘Cubby’.

The 23-year-old has made his name on the IRB sevens circuit with Wales over the last couple of seasons and picked up the Welsh Rugby Players Association sevens player of the year award at a ceremony in Cardiff earlier this month.

Despite missing two tournaments from the 2013-14 series, James Davies still managed to score more tries than any other member of the squad (22) with winger Luke Morgan the nearest challenger on 21 touchdowns.

Davies also headed the queue for line-breaks and was the top tackler.

“Cubby has been with us in the Sevens programme for two and half years,” said Wales Sevens head coach Gareth Williams.

“He first came through our development FIRA squad and it’s great to see him progress to this sort of level — it’s testament to the work he has put in.

“He has a great skill set for a flanker. He stays over the ball with lots of tenacity where he is a right nuisance at the breakdown and in an open and fast game he comes in to his own as he possesses bags of pace.”

Davies is quick to praise the work the Sevens team have put in when it comes to his development.

“Sevens has been a big part of my life over the past couple of years and full credit to the Wales Sevens boys and backroom staff to get me where I am. My club side Carmarthen Quins have also been a big help,” he said.

Davies may be up against tough opposition and a spot on the three-match tour to South Africa might be a long shot but he is determined to grab the chance afforded to him with both hands.

“When I first found out of about my inclusion in one of the trial teams it came as a bit of a shock but it’s a great opportunity for me.

“I’ve just got to concentrate on my own game but I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/other/rugby/story/215119.html

Bancyfelin rugby playing brothers Jonathan and James Davies to go head to head