‘Davies can light up Six Nations – given a chance’
JAMES Davies has been tipped to be one of the stand-out players of the Six Nations – if he gets the chance to show what he can do.
The uncapped flanker has been exceptional for the Scarlets over the past three seasons with his pace, handling ability and work over the ball.
That has finally been rewarded with a call-up to Wales’ Championship squad.
He finds himself in a very competitive position, with Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi and Ellis Jenkins also vying for the openside berth.
But fellow Scarlets back rower John Barclay – captain of Wales’ opening opponents Scotland – believes Davies could take the tournament by storm if given the opportunity.
And Wales coach Warren Gatland and captain Alun Wyn Jones both feel the Olympics Sevens star could be one of the breakthrough players of the Championship.
Asked to name a player to watch in the Six Nations, Barclay replied: “I think if he was given the opportunity, James Davies would probably stand out.
“He’s done it for three years at Scarlets. The way he has played, he’s top of the stats in our league, top of the stats in the Champions Cup.
“Every challenge that’s been put in front of him, he’s knocked over.
“I don’t necessarily hope that happens against Scotland, although I’d love the chance to play against him as a good friend.
“I hope, as a friend, he gets the opportunity to show what he can do.”
Wales coach Gatland was also asked to pick a player who could break through in the tournament.
“Someone who may get an opportunity is James Davies, who has had the experience with GB Sevens, winning an Olympic silver medal,” he said.
“He’s had a couple of great seasons with the Scarlets and is an exciting player.”
Gatland also name-checked uncapped winger Josh Adams, adding: “Those are two players Alun Wyn Jones has highlighted earlier on, so I’m sort of following on from his lead.”
Meanwhile, Barclay was full of praise for another of his Scarlets colleagues, Rhys Patchell, who is in the frame to start at fly-half for Wales against Scotland with Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland both out injured.
“He is confident in the way he is playing at the moment. You can see that in his performances at 10 and 15,” said the flanker.
“Against Bath, he’d been shifted to full-back late in the week and he’s still throwing flat balls, putting people in space and throwing offloads out of the back door.
“That’s a sign of a player that’s feeling good and playing good.
“I spoke to Patch about Wales the other week and he wasn’t too hopeful about getting called up.
“But I said I thought he was playing well enough and maybe opportunity was going to present itself.
“I know how good a player he is. He has got all the skills, he’s playing in a good side and potentially he’s going to line up alongside a lot of his Scarlets team-mates.
“He’ll be confident if he plays.”