The Scarlets’ flanker opted out of the selection race for Wales’ 15-a-side tour to New Zealand in the summer to chase his Olympic dream and was today named as one of two Welshmen in the 12-strong Team GB Men’s squad alongside Sam Cross.
Luke Treharne, who captained the GB Royals to two tournament victories in the Rugby Europe Grand Prix series this month, has been named as a travelling reserve.
Head coach Simon Amor, who will be joined by Welsh coach Gareth Williams in preparing the side for their assault on the first rugby medals on offer at the Olympics since 1924, announced his squad in London today.
Team GB have been drawn alongside Kenya, Japan and New Zealand in Pool C for the 12-team tournament that runs between 6-11 August at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
“It has been a nerve racking time and I tried to use the mind-set that what will be will be. Everyone wanted to be on the trip and we could only pick 12 players,” said Davies.
“We sat down as a group before the announcement and decided together how we wanted to be told. It was done alphabetically, so luckily I was one of the first players named.
“I was just so pleased to find out the news I was going. I tried to take it all in, but it has been hard because other players missed out.
“I tried to keep my emotions very low key because I was still around a lot of boys who were disappointed. I didn’t go around celebrating and I was rooming with someone who missed out.
“It was tricky and, although I was pleased with a great achievement, I had to contain myself. There was a lot of disappointment around the group and I tried to put myself in the position of those who missed out.
“They could have picked any one of those boys and there are so many combinations they could have gone with. Nobody was 100 per cent about whether they were going to be picked.
“I just tried to stay positive and in the back of my mind and knew I had done everything I could, even though it had been hard for me because I had come from a 15-a-side background.”
The only Welsh rugby representative who has been involved in Olympic rugby history prior to next month’s competition was the renowned referee Albert Freethy. He was in charge of the 1924 final between the USA and France.
But now Davies, Cross and Jasmine Joyce on the women’s side will become the first Welsh players to take part in rugby at the Olympic Games.
“I don’t think it really sunk in until we saw all the kit – it has been surreal. Witnessing the unity that kit represents was very special,” admitted Davies.
“When Simon Amor first rang me I was actually having a coffee with Cory Allen. He asked me whether I had had a phone call, but my phone wasn’t working at the time.
“I saw I had a missed call at the time from a withheld number, so I couldn’t call them back. I used Cory’s phone to ring him back and Simon told me he was keen to get me involved in the process.
“When someone tells you they are keen for you to be part of the Olympics it’s pretty special. I came into Lensbury for the intensive training camp and wasn’t sure how my body was going to react.
“I picked up a niggle in the first week and the increase in intensity showed pretty quickly. I am quite pleased with my progress and I’ve been on an upward curve since day one – maybe that’s why I got the nod.
“I’d forgotten how tough this game is, but I’ve certainy found out over the last few weeks. It’s a sport that should definitely be in the Olympics because it requires every skill and every athletic ability.”
The 25-year-old Davies had hoped to join older brother Jonathan on the summer tour to New Zealand to tackle on the world champions this summer, but has won the bragging rights in the family by becoming an Olympian.
“I was disappointed to miss out on the New Zealand tour because I have always wanted to represent my country. But when I look at it now, I had the chance to become an Olympian,” said Davies.
“So, I wasn’t down about it for a long time because the chance to become an Olympian is pretty special and nobody in the current Welsh team has done that before. Jonathan has got the claim of being a British & Irish Lion, so it’s nice to get one up on him!
“He is very proud of my achievement and he was ecstatic for me. He knows I’ve had disappointments in my career, so to have an achievement like this is special and he knows how much this means to me. There are a few international rugby players from my part of the world, but not many Olympic medallists!”
The two British squads have picked up medals across Europe this summer in preparation for Rio, but getting on the medal rostrum in Brazil will be a tough assignment. But that’s the goal for Davies and his team mates.
“The tournament itself will show how important rugby sevens is and to be part of that first team will be very special. We are looking to medal, although we know how difficult it will be to do that,” said Davies.
“It has been shown on the World circuit that many teams can win competitions and the way the Team GB boys have come together has been remarkable. For the boys to gel as well as they have has been good on and off the pitch – now we have the final 12 we can kick on.”
