Allen Clarke’s men face an uphill battle in the Pyrenees against Pau to sneak into the quarter-finals after their last ditch defeat to Worcester Warriors last week. The eight Ospreys selected in the Guinness Six Nations squad have already linked up with Warren Gatland and Wales meaning the next generation will get a chance to prove themselves on French soil. And Davis wants their youthful squad to play without fear against the likes of All Blacks Colin Slade and Benson Stanley.
He said: “The mathematics means it’s unlikely we’ll go through but the important thing or us is that we’re playing in Europe and we want to give a good account for ourselves and gain maximum points if possible and see where that leaves us.
“If we scrape through then we scrape through but realistically it will be difficult for us. Playing any French team away from home is a different prospect than when they’re on their travels.”
To stand any chance of advancing to the Challenge Cup last eight, Ospreys must earn a bonus-point win and hope Benetton Treviso and Bristol Bears both slump to defeat in the final round of pool stage matches.
“The first thing we have to focus on is winning the game and then for us to get a bonus-point,” said Davis. “But we need to lay a foundation early on in the first 20 minutes and then build on that. You can look at the games against Stade and Worcester away and you can expect a similar line-up.”
One man who is likely to start is rapid wing Luke Morgan, who narrowly missed out on the Guinness Six Nations squad despite impressing by scoring nine tries in 12 appearances following his successful transition from the Wales Sevens setup. But Davis has hailed the improvement the Ospreys flier has made since stepping up to the 15-a-side game.
“For him to be selected in the Autumn shows what the Wales management think of him,” he added. “From where he’s come from to whee he is now is just unbelievable and credit to Matt Sherratt, Allen Clarke and Luke himself for how he’s approached his training and his learning.
“To just get in the frame with Wales is a huge compliment to him as a player, he’s looking to improve every week, he’s always asking for feedback. He’s always going to be targeted under the high ballot as long as he stays grounded he will be there or there abouts.”
