Wales put Davies on a fast track

SCARLETS breakaway James Davies has been handed the chance to add a Six Nations winners’ medal to his Olympic silver after being called up by Wales for the first time.

Davies, who was part of the Great Britain sevens team at Rio 2016, has been rewarded for his form for the Pro14 champions and, with Sam Warburton injured, will compete with Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi for the No7 jersey.

The brother of injured Lion Jonathan joins Worcester’s Swansea-born wing Josh Adams as one of two uncapped players in a 39-man squad from which Jamie Roberts and Luke Charteris are notable omissions. “James has had a couple of good seasons for the Scarlets,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Josh has been scoring tries for a team who have been struggling. He has genuine speed and it’s a great chance to have a look at him.”

Wales have recalled Ospreys lock Bradley Davies and included the injured Bath pair Taulupe Faletau (knee) and Rhys Priestland (hamstring), despite both players being ruled out of the opening game against Scotland in Cardiff on February 3.

Newcastle duo Scott Lawson and Jon Welsh have been called in from the cold by Scotland to answer a front-row SOS.

Lawson, 36, who won his last cap four years ago, and Welsh, whose last act in a Scotland shirt was to give away the contentious penalty in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Australia, were yesterday named in a 40-man squad by Gregor Townsend.

There are two uncapped props included – Edinburgh’s Murray McCallum and Glasgow’s D’Arcy Rae – with Scotland suffering a front-row injury crisis that deprives them of props Zander Fagerson, WP Nel, Al Dickinson, Allan Dell and Darryl Marfo, and the suspended Simon Berghan, plus crocked hookers Ross Ford and Fraser Brown.

Edinburgh full-back Blair Kinghorn and scrum-half Nathan Fowles have also been called up for the first time.

Scarlets back-row John Barclay has retained the captaincy despite the return of Greig Laidlaw after injury. Barclay, who has led the side to six wins in nine Tests in Laidlaw’s absence, will have Worcester’s David Denton back alongside him for the first time for 18 months, while London Irish prop Gordon Reid is also recalled.

Adam Hastings, son of Gavin, is one of three other players invited to train with the squad.