Jonathan - making a name for himself on professional rugby arena
Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk recently paid a visit to Parc y Scarlets to watch the Scarlets take on, and beat, a powerful Stade Francais side which resembled the United Nations in the number of different nationalities they can call on.
Two of the Scarlets tries were scored by talented centre Jonathan Davies, who hails from Bancyfelin and played a lot of his junior rugby for Whitland in Pembrokeshire – and at just 20 years of age is making people sit up with his rousingly direct play. We were delighted afterwards that Jonathan, who is known to all as ‘Fox’ or ‘Foxy’ because his parents once owned the ‘Fox and Hounds’ pub in Bancyfelin, agreed to chat to us about his sporting career so far, and his ambitions for the future as a highly regarded young player.
Hi Jonathan – congratulations on your efforts against Stade Francais and the Barbarians – can you tell us a little about the games?
Yes – both were very free flowing and we knew we had to be on top form to pick up two wins, and I was delighted to score three tries, especially the two against Stade Francais because they came at a vital time in the second half. I might have had three but in the first half a pass went slightly behind me and I couldn’t hold on to the ball when I could see the line in sight. The Baa-Baas had top players like Anton Oliver (New Zealand) and I was marking Jamie Robinson so it was great to add another try from 40 metres to my list against a Welsh international. If the match against the French was fast then this was something else because I was still shattered a day later! It is also wonderful to play in the new stadium because it has a superb atmosphere – and I am thrilled to have played in the final game at Stradi as well as being involved now at our new ground.
How did you get involved with the Scarlets in the first place?
I first started in their academy under Kevin George when I was 16 and they were great from the start, not only with the playing side but the conditioning and taking care of yourself off the pitch. They always attach a great deal of importance to monitoring things like weight and body fat and although it is hard sometimes the rewards are there if you show self-discipline – and it was nice for me that the physio was John Miles, who comes from Fishguard and is very much a Pembrokeshire boy!
Anyway, then I was invited by coach Phil Davies to train with the senior squad, always an honour for the youngsters – and was amazed when I was called in as replacement against Northampton Saints in August 2006 I was thrilled.
You’ve also done well for Wales – what has that been like?
I’ve been very lucky to have been selected for Wales at every level from under 16s through to under 20s and each has been wonderful just to pull on the shirt and hear the national anthem. I was part of the team which won the Grand Slam at under 19s and went to the World Cup in Dubai, an amazing country where our training facilities at a school were better than some top-class clubs in this country! But I damaged my knee ligaments in an awkward tackle and it meant a frustrating nine months out of the game – but it was worth taking it steadily since it healed really well and, touch wood, it is fine now.
Were you nervous on your return?
I think everyone has a little trepidation but when I came back in pre-season 2007/8 I had already been boosted by the fact that I had signed my first contract with the Scarlets as they showed great faith in me. It was tough at the start because sometimes it isn’t easy to get match time, which was really what I needed, but I was lucky to play for Llanelli in the Welsh Premier League and as well as having a number of games as replacement for the Scarlets I also played against Edinburgh and Saracens in the EDF Cup and scored a try against Saracens so that although we didn’t qualify I was happy to be back. Before the end of the season I also started in the centre against Munster, Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues and Bath so I felt I had done quite well in my first season as a professional rugby player.
Do you play any other sports?
I like most sports but with the huge commitment needed at rugby I tend to just play cricket for Whitland in the summer months as a means of relaxation – and of course keeping in touch with my pals there. I played in three Ormond Youth Cup Finals and we won two of them with good players like Edward John doing well.
It must seem a long time ago now but how did you start out in rugby?
My dad Michael had played for Carmarthen Quins and I started in primary school when Trefor Evans was involved before going on to start junior rugby at St Clears. I started as scrum half, moved to outside half and then into the centre at 14 because it was decided I was too big to be a half back! I started out with Carmarthenshire but at under 12s played for Whitland in the Pembrokeshire set-up alongside quality players like Lloyd Phillips and Endaf Morgan, and was well looked after, particularly by Kim Norkett, from the WRU, Gwyn Griffiths with his conditioning and the Whitland coaches.
That brings us nicely back to the present and future – where do you go from here?
My aim this season was to try and cement my centre place with the Scarlets and at first I played several games and was a replacement for others where I scored tries against Connacht and Northampton Saints. I came back on the wing against Munster and since then I have been selected to start at centre in all nine matches against the likes of Ulster (twice), Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Dragons, Connacht, Stade Francais, Harlequins and the Barbarians. That takes my total appearances so far to 30 and I am gaining in experience thanks to having Steve Jones at outside half and Regan King alongside me, both of whom are great players and ever-ready to give advice.
Like most players I want to play at the highest level possible and to top my cap list with senior selection would be my wildest dream. I have played against a number of international players and I am ready to work hard on my play and just see how it goes. At the moment I am only 20 years old and love playing for the Scarlets – and that will certainly do me for now because it is just great to be part of their superb set-up.
