The Scarlets currently sit sixth in the PRO12 table with just three games of the regular season remaining but a bonus-point victory over the league’s bottom team could move them to the edge of a top-four spot.
Davies’ troops are five points behind third-placed Munster and fourth-placed Glasgow and four points behind Ulster who are directly above them in the standings. And with Munster and Glasgow going head-to-head at Thomond Park on Saturday, the Scarlets know four or five points at the Stadio Zaffanella would put them right back in the mix for the semi-final shake up.
Defeat to Brive last weekend brought their European hopes to a disappointing end and Davies is looking for a positive reaction as the Scarlets target the play-off stages of a third tournament this season.
“We know this is a must-win game for us out in Italy and the boys have been frustrated after their performance in Brive last weekend in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final,” said Davies, whose team also reached the last four of the LV= Cup.
“This is a time for them to get some momentum back and we know we are still in with a fighting chance with our league campaign. We have two great home fixtures ahead in our run-in back at Parc y Scarlets with Munster next Saturday and then the Blues on May 5 which will both be great occasions for the side and our supporters to be part of.”
Davies has handed Wales regular Jonathan Davies the captaincy for the Round 20 encounter, with veterans Matthew Rees and Stephen Jones dropping to the bench following the 15-11 defeat in France.
The 24-year-old starred for his country in the recent Grand Slam success story and he is now hoping to push on with his region as the domestic season nears its climax.
“The region has done a lot to support my rugby career to date and it’s where I feel at home as a player and where I feel I am best placed to further my ambitions both at regional and international level,” added the in-form centre.
“There’s great team ethic, the Scarlets boys all work hard for each other and we’re a close-knit group because so many of us have come through the ranks together from within the region.
“There’s a strong and ambitious spirit in this team and we know what it means to wear the Scarlets shirt given our great heritage and our style and brand of rugby suits me as a player.”
Aironi have won just one of their last six RaboDirect PRO12 games but that solitary victory should act as a warning to the Scarlets given that it came against reigning champions Munster just over a month ago.
The Scarlets have picked up wins in three of their last four games in the PRO12 but defeat to Brive was preceded by a 16-13 loss at Edinburgh a fortnight ago.
Dom Day comes into the Scarlets second row where he partners Aaron Shingler who returns from a toe injury; Rhodri Jones moves from loosehead prop to tighthead; Sean Lamont starts on the right wing instead of George North who is rested due to a minor groin strain; Nick Reynolds comes in for Gareth Maule after Maule broke a finger in France; and Ken Owens and Rhys Priestland replace Rees and Jones respectively.
