Davies hopeful of Scarlets return as Phillips

GARETH Davies admitted he half expected to see the familiar figure of Mike Phillips welcoming him back to Parc y Scarlets on Tuesday morning.

Phillips came out of retirement to provide vital scrum-half injury cover in South Africa, while Gareth and team-mate Aled Davies were on international duty with Wales this autumn.

And with Gareth nursing a shoulder injury, there was speculation that the country’s most capped No.9 may be asked to extend his unexpected comeback with a nostalgic return to Llanelli.

However, the 35-year-old British Lion is now back sunning it in Dubai as the Scarlets turn their attention to a European Champions Cup double header against Benetton – matches they need to win and in style to maintain their slim chances of quarter-final qualification.

Davies is hoping to pass a late fitness on his shoulder issue, a problem which has been troubling him this season and forced him to miss Wales’ win over South Africa last weekend.

“It’s been niggling me for the last couple of months. It’s an ongoing problem and hopefully it will be okay for this weekend. It sets me back now and again, but it is nothing to worry about,” insisted the 27-year-old.

That said, players carrying injuries into matches is a common theme in the modern game.

The demands on international players and the subject of player welfare remains a burning issue in Welsh rugby, particularly with this year’s controversial fourth autumn international being staged just a week before pivotal European ties.

Both the Scarlets and the Ospreys will be shorn of influential players as they attempt to haul themselves back into European contention over the coming fortnight, but Davies is adamant the defending PRO14 champions possess the firepower to maintain their challenge.

“It has been a tough four weeks (with Wales), but these games coming up are what we thrive for as players, especially in Europe and there are no better games to be part of than the Christmas derbies,” he added.

The Scarlets are certainly playing catch-up in Pool 5 following a onepoint defeat in Toulon and a disappointing home setback against Bath at a rain-lashed round two clash in Llanelli.

However, with two bonus points in