Davies winning his fitness fight

WALES scrum-half Gareth Davies is set to make his return to action in the Scarlets’ Champions Cup finale against Sale Sharks tomorrow.

Davies missed last weekend’s dramatic 22-22 draw with defending champions Saracens at Parc y Scarlets after picking up a shin injury the week before against Ulster.

But the 26-year-old, one of three scrum-halves named in Rob Howley’s Six Nations squad, is back in full training and set to be named in the matchday squad for the trip to Salford.

Skipper Ken Owens is being rested for the match after struggling with a calf injury in recent weeks, while wing Johnny McNicholl has been ruled out because a knee problem.

“Ken has had the most game time out of the international boys, the plan was always to give him a rest for the Blues game and this week,” said head coach Wayne Pivac.

“That is also a reflection of how well Ryan Elias is playing as well. We also have Emyr Phillips pushing hard in training.

“It is about being smart and looking after Ken. We would like to think he has got a shot at the Lions and we want him to be in great shape for the Six Nations.”

While McNicholl is absent, Pivac is able to recall the fit-again DTH van der Merwe, who hasn’t played since suffering a bang to the head in the festive derby defeat to the Ospreys in Swansea.

Pivac also revealed that Wales centre Jonathan Davies – who had to make do with a place on the bench against Sarries – will partner Scott Williams in midfield this weekend.