By Steffan Thomas
Seb Davies insists his “awesome” Cardiff teammate James Ratti can make a massive impact on the international stage.
Ratti was the shock selection in Wayne Pivac’s Wales squad for the Six Nations, with the 24-year-old having only recently converted from a second row to a No 8. But Davies is confident he can become a real asset to the Wales pack.
“I think he’ll do really well at that level,” said Davies when asked how he thought Ratti would do at test level.
Our nine pic.twitter.com/c85CVARg7i
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) January 18, 2022
“He carries non-stop for Cardiff. He’s a big man who is quick off the base, and he is very physical with his carries.
“He works very hard, and I think if he gets that chance then he’ll do well because he’s awesome.”
Davies was himself named in Pivac’s squad last week and has been a regular in the Wales camp over the last five years without quite nailing down a starting spot. But with Alun Wyn Jones unavailable, and Will Rowland’s having played just one game since returning from a concussion picked up in the autumn, Davies has emerged as the strong favourite to pack down alongside Adam Beard against Ireland in Dublin next month.
And the 25-year-old is adamant he is ready to cement his place as one of Wales’ first choice locks. He said: “I’ve been playing quite well for Cardiff. It’s obviously another step up playing for Wales but if given the chance I’d like to think I can step up, yes.
“My work ons for the last couple of seasons is consistency. Sometimes, I’d play well one game but maybe slip off the next.
“Last season and this season I’ve really tried to focus on becoming more consistent and performing week in week out. I’m in a good place at the moment.”
.
Wales have named a 36-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations featuring three uncapped players as Dan Biggar captains for the campaign.
➥ Dan Biggar fydd capten Cymru ar gyfer Chwe Gwlad 2022.
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 18, 2022
Wales will be without 680 caps worth of experience when they travel to Dublin to face an Ireland side who famously beat New Zealand in the autumn. And Davies has warned his teammates they will have to match the Irish physically if they are to come out on top.
He said: “It’s definitely essential that we bring that physicality, for sure.
“I think that’s the case in every game no matter what level you play at. If your forwards have a good foothold in the game, then it gives the backs a good chance to attack.
“If our forwards aren’t really doing well the backs are going to struggle to get any gain-line.”
