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Davies looking forward to home debut at number eight

16th November 2017


Seb Davies is relishing his first Wales start at the Principality Stadium as he pulls on the unfamiliar number eight jersey against Georgia on Saturday.

The 21-year-old, who signed a long-term senior contract last month, has been in irresistible form for Cardiff Blues this season, receiving numerous plaudits.

He has done so in the second-row but after retaining his place in the Wales squad following an impressive summer, he will now move back to start at number eight.

Davies said: “Hopefully there will be a lot of people there and the family is coming along as well. It’s the first time for me playing for Wales at home so it’s a great opportunity.

“I haven’t played at eight much, a bit with the Under-20s and while I was at Pontypridd but it’s just a number on your back and I have to get on with the job.

“I haven’t played there for the Blues I’ve played bit at six, but I jumped at the chance. I like to think I have good ball handling skills and can move around the field so it’s a good opportunity to take.

“It’s a chance for me to get my hands on the ball a bit more from the base but I’m sure Webby (Rhys Webb) will be talking to me. I’ve been working with Webby, and a few of the nines, learning the new role of playing eight and where to go off the scrums.

“It’s another string to the bow, I just have to keep working on it and see where it takes me. I can pack down in the second-row happily, I can play six or eight and I’m pretty comfortable with all of those roles so it’s just a case of where they see fit to pick me and I jump at the opportunity.”

Davies has faced Georgia previously, during the World Rugby U20s Championship with Wales U20s edging to a hard-fought 10-9 win.

And he expects a full-blooded forward challenge at the Principality Stadium.

Davies added: “It was a tough game, we won 10-9 on a soaking wet day so hopefully it’s not like that on the weekend and we can take their set-piece away.

“They have a big forward, scrum, lineout mentality but their backs can also play a bit. Their driving lineout is particularly strong, once they get set they get very low and drive straight to the point. They have a lot of heart and really go for it.”