Dropped Davies will fight for World Cup spot

WALES head coach Wayne Pivac believes Jonathan Davies still has to plenty to offer despite leaving him out against Australia and denying him his 100th international appearance.

Pivac says the centre is desperate to play in the 2023 World Cup and that he is not expecting him to go out without a fight.

Following the injury to Alun Wyn Jones, Davies, 33, captained Wales against South Africa before being left out against Fiji and now Australia.

“He is the captain of this group since Alun Wyn Jones left,” said Pivac.

“That doesn’t change just because he is not playing. He has a big input off the field, he is a senior player. He understands that we always put the team first.

“As much as he wants to play, he understands the reasoning. We have spoken to Jonathan and he knows what is expected of him when he goes back to club rugby.

“He will want to get a run of games, as he did from the middle of the Six Nations (last season) on. He had three games, and if you looked at his performance against France in the number 12 jersey, it was outstanding.”

Saracens’ Nick Tompkins and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo were preferred by Pivac for the yesterday’s game against Australia.

Davies has played 93 times for Wales and six Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

A World Cup in France would be his third global tournament, when he would be 35.

“He knows we have got a World Cup that we are working back from, and he is desperate to play at that World Cup,” added Pivac.

“He believes he has got something to contribute and offer, otherwise I believe he would retire.

“Jonathan has got something to offer in our view, and that is why he’s in the squad. We will just have to wait and see how things pan out for the Six Nations. If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t bet on Jonathan Davies walking away too soon.”