Davies: Switch from Wales has given me new lease
SARACENS scrum-half Aled Davies is loving his new English “adventure” and has no regrets about putting his fight for more Wales honours on the back burner.
Two wins from their opening three games – the only defeat being an agonising one-point loss at Leicester – have boosted confidence they can add a sixth Premiership title to their name.
Mark McCall’s men are firm favourites to pick up another victory at The Rec today against a team looking out of sorts. Bath lie bottom of the heap with three successive losses and Sarries do not aim to make life any easier for them.
Davies, 29, hopes to impress once more, having become firmly entrenched at Saracens following his switch from Ospreys 15 months ago. Having helped the club regain their top flight status last season he claims: “I came here to win trophies and compete at the top level in England. It was a great opportunity at a massive club which has had such a great tradition of lifting trophies for more than a decade.
“I love Wales and it will always be home to me but I’m on this adventure now and having fun. I’m not even thinking of international right now, just focused completely on doing well for Saracens.”
Davies, who has 20
Wales caps, believes his game has improved since making the switch.
“I’m at a good age with plenty of experience and I am 100 per cent better for coming here to live and play. That’s not knocking Welsh rugby but you get a broader outlook by trying something different.
“I’m at one of the best clubs in Europe, if not the best, and I’m training with some of the best players in the world. That’s not a bad situation to be in.
“We are trying to win the league. We’ve started the season well but there is room for improvement. We are only going to get better. That’s what this club is all about...always improving, always striving for the best. We are not just happy to come back into the Premiership and exist, we are aiming for top spot.”
Maro Itoje makes his return following his extended summer break following Lions duty while Davies lines up alongside
Owen Farrell at half-back.
“Owen is an unbelievable player and great to play alongside,” says Davies, who hopes their partnership can lay the foundation for another happy trip to the West Country today.
“When I was at Scarlets we had a good rivalry with Bath as they were just over the border. They have had a disappointing start but they have quality throughout the squad so it will be a tough task.”