Davies aims to leave his frustrations behind in Samoa clash

ALED Davies is ready to put his end-of-season frustration with the Scarlets behind him when Wales take on Samoa on Friday, writes Andy Howell.

The scrum-half failed to make the Scarlets’ squad for their Guinness Pro12 final win over Munster in Dublin, but made his Test debut as a replacement in the 24-6 victory over Tonga in Auckland last Friday.

Gareth Davies’ controversial call-up by the Lions means his namesake and club-mate Aled is set to start a Test for the first time in Apia.

“I played a big part in a lot of the games for the Scarlets throughout the season and even though I think I should have been playing more, that’s just the way it is.

“The success we had has given the boys a lift and I think the way we played our rugby has helped with the confidence in this Wales squad,” said Aled Davies.

“Samoa are one of the most physical sides in world rugby. They won’t be messing around when we play them, so we’re going to have to be right on the money if we want to win.

“We’re going to have to play smart rugby, manipulate their defence and move them around the field. Hopefully that will tire them out.”

“As a half-back in international rugby you can’t afford to kick loosely to any side these days. There are so many dangerous players around, and it’s the same with Samoa.

“If we do that, they’ll punish us and that’s why our core skills need to be accurate. This is a great squad to be involved in with a lot of young, exciting players.

“We play at our best when we play heads-up rugby. That’s what I’m trying to do, as well as bossing the forwards about, and if I do that hopefully I can challenge for a starting spot for the Samoa game.”

He was one of nine players who made their Wales debuts against Tonga. Caretaker head coach Robin McBryde has seen Gareth Davies, Cory Hill, Tomas Francis and Kristian Dacey join Warren Gatland’s Lions, while Alex Cuthbert has been ruled out of facing Samoa with the shoulder injury he suffered against Tonga.

McBryde has opted against adding to his squad and will blood more fresh faces on Friday in a bid to prepare Wales’ next generation of talent for the 2019 World Cup.