Davies has payback in mind for his father
Bradley Davies returns to Wales’ starting line-up today – and his father Bleddyn will be hoping for payback time.
The Ospreys lock has represented his country on 60 occasions during an international career that began nine years ago. However, he has yet to break a Test try duck, despite Davies senior’s continued optimism.
“It would be great to sneak over and score a try because my father keeps putting a fiver on me to score,” he said. “I haven’t scored yet. He has been on to me already!
“My dad reckons he’s wasted a bit of money down the years. He said the one time he doesn’t bet, I will score. Hopefully, I will keep him happy.”
Whether 31-year-old Davies touches down or not against NatWest 6 Nations opponents Italy at the Principality Stadium, just being back on Wales duty represents something of a personal triumph.
He is now up to top gear following an injury-hit spell – his last Test start was in November 2016 – and it says everything about his durability and adaptability that Davies once again features.
“I’ve had major injuries to both knees and, at first, I thought it would be plain sailing to come back,” he added. “It didn’t work out like that.
“It was a struggle because I couldn’t put the work in during the week. I found it really hard to get back and probably started back at the Ospreys a bit under-cooked, which was my own fault.
“Luckily enough, when I wasn’t picked in the autumn I sat down with the coaches and had some clear things to work on.
“The major thing was just getting back on the training ground.”