Rugby Toulon clash comes just too soon for Davies... but Scarlets have Blade back
JONATHAN Davies will sit out the Scarlets’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Toulon at Stade Mayol tonight (8.15pm UK time kickoff).
The Wales and Lions centre has been sidelined for the past 10 months after picking up a knee injury at the World Cup in Japan.
Davies has been training in recent weeks, raising hopes he might be involved against Toulon, but the Scarlets have evidently made a call not to risk him, even though his name doesn’t appear on their list of injured players.
His experience and quality will be missed.
But the west Walians still have a dependable outside centre option in Steff Hughes, who led the team for much of last season. The 26-year-old partners Johnny Williams in midfield.
There is also a welcome return for Blade Thomson.
The Scotland international has had a terrible run of misfortune with injuries since his time with the Scarlets, including suffering a concussion which left him pondering whether to retire from the game.
His latest setback saw him suffer an Achilles problem which torpedoed a planned return against Cardiff Blues last month.
But the Scarlets have stuck by him and the all-action back rower, who can carry strongly and hit hard in the tackle, is keen to repay their faith as he features for the first time since Boxing Day last year.
In a recent interview with Rugbypass, he said: “I hate being on the sidelines and watching the boys go to battle, but it’s just one of those things – that’s pro rugby, and a lot of the boys will go through it.
“The whole organisation has been top notch, always willing to help out and making sure I’m fine and the people are lovely.
“I just feel like I owe them something, to pay them back for the loyalty they have shown me.
“I haven’t really shown it on the field as much as I have wanted to.
“That’s what the next games and the upcoming season are for, to thank them and show them that I want to