Davies reveals he is keen to extend stay with the Scarlets
GARETH Davies has revealed he wants to remain with the Scarlets after becoming hot property following his performances at the World Cup.
The scrum-half was Wales’ top tryscorer in the tournament with five as they reached the quarter-finals after beating hosts England, narrowly going down to South Africa at Twickenham.
His contract with the Guinness Pro12 leaders is up at the end of the season and he wouldn’t be short of offers with interest high from across the border.
But the 25-year-old said: “I want to stay – there have been a few conversations. I will leave it to my agent and see how things go.”
If he does put pen to paper on an exclusive deal with the Scarlets or a National Dual Contract in conjunction with the WRU, it will be a massive fillip for the ambitions of the region.
Coach Wayne Pivac expressed his satisfaction after in-form flanker James Davies, who tops the Pro12 stats for his work in defence and attack, signed a contract extension which will keep him at Parc y Scarlets until at least the summer of 2018.
“We’re very pleased to see James extend his contract and remain here at the Scarlets for at least another two seasons,” said the New Zealander.
“Statistically, he’s our top tackler, he’s top of the breakdown list and he tops the chart with most carries; he’s a very valuable player for us.
“We’re obviously disappointed to be without him on the field for the next few months as he recovers from his foot injury but he’ll no doubt make a return hungrier than ever for those all-important final few months of the season.”
Davies, the younger brother of Wales and Lions centre star Jonathan, said: “I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with the Scarlets.
“I’m looking forward to continuing my development with the Scarlets and continue to play with my mates again for the next couple of years. It will also be a great honour to play alongside Jon at the club.
“Things have been going really well for me personally, but also for the team.
“The injury is frustrating, but I will be working hard on my recovery over the coming months to get back to fitness as quickly as possible.
“The goal is to make a return to finish the season off strongly with the Scarlets just as we have started but it’s also every player’s dream to play for their country.”
James Davies has joined captain Ken Owens, lock Jake Ball, flankers John Barclay and Aaron Shingler, props Rob Evans and Samson Lee, full-back Liam Williams, scrum-half Aled Davies and his returning brother Jonathan in committing to the Scarlets.
Pivac refused to be drawn on the future of injured midfield star Scott Williams, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.
It is understood the WRU, with the full backing of Wales coach Warren Gatland, has withdrawn the offer of a NDC to the centre.
The union ended negotiations after not being party to an extraordinary battle for the Wales centre’s signature between the Ospreys and Scarlets.
Williams was originally given the chance to extend his current dual contract with the union beyond its present expiry of next summer.
But it’s now understood the Ospreys offered Williams, who captained Wales against Ireland in August, a deal exclusively with them worth in the region of £80,000 more than the dual contract.
The Scarlets, with the help of chairman Nigel Short, then stepped in to match the Ospreys offer, anxious to be able to pair Williams in their midfield with the returning Jonathan Davies next season.
Pivac said there was “nothing new” on the future of the 25-yearold, claiming: “I picked up the paper (Western Mail) really to try and find out. There’s nothing I can add, to be honest.”
The former Fiji coach and exAuckland boss claimed not to know whether the Rugby Services Agreement, which was aimed at making the retention of Wales stars a threeway arrangement between the WRU, the regions and the player, allowed teams to bid for players currently on the books elsewhere.
“I deal with identifying the players I would like to have here, other people deal with the contract side of that,” he said.
Scarlets have an injury crisis to deal with ahead of Saturday’s win or bust European Champions Cup clash at Glasgow Warriors with six of their first-choice pack likely to be missing.
Wales powerhouse Ball (groin), hooker Owens (foot), James Davies (foot), Aaron Shingler (shoulder, back, thigh and ankle), Scotland international John Barclay (shoulder) and prop Rob Evans, who was in hospital for five days after suffering an infection following a cut, will all miss the trip to the Pro12 champions.
Prolific try-scorer DTH van der Merwe (thumb) will also sit it out, utility back Hadleigh Parkes may be rested, wing Tom Williams has a shoulder strain, while Scott Williams and Liam Williams (foot), who is on course return to action just before the Six Nations, are long-term casualties from the World Cup.
Scarlets, who have lost both their games in Europe, to Northampton Saints and Racing 92, have to do the double over Glasgow – they host them in Llanelli the following weekend – to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.