Wales don’t want to let Gats down, says Davies

WALES star Gareth Davies has revealed how Alun Wyn Jones will use the Warren Gatland farewell factor to drive the team to Rugby World Cup victory over France.

The Welsh scrum-half admits the players have spoken about the fact this is Gatland’s final campaign in charge, and they are desperate to ensure Sunday’s quarter-final in Oita is not his final game.

If Wales lose, they will head home and it will signal the end of Gatland’s glittering 11 and a half years at the helm.

Davies outlined why the squad don’t want it to come to a close like that and how skipper Alun Wyn will use it as an extra motivational tool just before kick-off against France.

“We’ve been looking forward to this World Cup for the last 18 months now,” the scrum-half said.

“We all knew it was going to be Gats’ last tournament in charge of us and we do speak about it every now and again. Especially this week now, it could be our last game. Hopefully it won’t be.

“Alun Wyn is a great captain, he speaks really well, and I’m sure he’ll mention the fact that it could be Gats’ last game.

“As players, we’ll keep that in the back of our minds. Hopefully that will give us a couple of extra percentage to come away with a good victory.”

Meanwhile, Wales have received a huge injury boost ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France as Dan Biggar (head knock) and George North (ankle) returned to training yesterday.

The outlook is also positive for centre Jonathan Davies, who is being phased back into training after suffering a worrying knee injury against Fiji last week.

“We’re in a great position. The boys integrated back into training today,” said attack coach Stephen Jones.

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