“I’ve loved the last two World Cups, as well as the preparation that has led into them. I love the pre-season side of things, like to train hard and I feel like I benefit a lot from it, especially in this environment,” said Davies.
“Hopefully, I can keep going over the next couple of months and then see how we’re looking for the World Cup. I was pleased to get named in the squad and I’m putting my head down and working as hard as I can to try to make the cut for France.
“”In 2015 and 2019 we took three scrum halves, but who knows what will happen this time. We’ve been told it’s going to be two or three nines, so that’s up to Gats.
Welsh World Cup training is up and running
“Between the three of us (Tomos Williams and Kieran Hard), we’ve been working hard, and we all get on with each other. We’ll just have to see what Gats thinks.”
Having gone through some mini-camps in recent weeks, the training will start to intensify when a 47-strong group heads to Switzerland for two weeks of training where the squad is looked to get the benefits of sleeping at altitude. For a number of the players, it will be a completely new experience, but for Davies it will be his third time in the Swiss alps.
“There is a good feeling in the camp, the boys have been working hard and we’re all looking forward to going to Switzerland. It’s a tough place to go with the altitude,” added Davies.
“Training for the last four or five weeks has been hard, and people are now wondering how much harder it can get. The altitude will test us and after two weeks out there, hopefully we will come back and be feeling even better.
“It will be my third time in Switzerland, so I know what’s coming. I know it’s going to be tough but then we’ll get to spend some quality time together in the evenings.
“We’ll have some days off and go on some hikes. It’s a beautiful place and we will enjoy that side of things as well.”
Davies, 33 in August, may have 67 caps a 2019 Grand Slam and a British & Irish Lions tour in his locker, but his last start for Wales was against Italy in March 2022. Getting back to number one status at scrum half is the goal, but first he wants to get into peak fitness.
His picture of his body shape almost went viral on Twitter recently and he has certainly set a standard for his teammates to follow.
Gareth Davies
“The boys have given me a bit of stick because of that picture on Twitter. They think there may have been a few filters involved with the pictures,” said Davies.
“I’m feeling pretty good. We’re only four or five weeks in, but from day one I’ve felt fitter than where I was.
“I’m working really hard, and I hope I can keep on improving. I haven’t had a full pre-season for a couple of years because we are usually on a summer tour. It’s my third proper full pre-season and the other two have been before the previous World Cups.
“I do really enjoy it. It’s obviously hard work but I feel it puts me in a good place ready to start the season.“
