'I've matured… I'm no longer the 23-year-old who likes just going out for a drink with the boys'
“We’re all winners in the hindsight Olympics”. It’s a phrase regularly bandied about for errors in judgement but for Sam Davies, any sense of regret about taking a leap of faith and leaving his home region for the Dragons have been largely justified.
A year ago, Davies faced a career-defining decision after seeing the Ospreys unveil star fly-half Gareth Anscombe in a never-to-be-forgotten signing-on video. Anscombe was Wales’ first-choice fly-half and had made his name in the blue and black of Cardiff, whereas Davies’ blood genuinely was black.
He was a Swansea boy to his bootlaces, who had had trials with football’s Swansea City as a teenager and represented the West Walian region on 151 occasions, becoming their second-highest points scorer ever with 836, just two ahead of James Hook.
The marquee signing of Anscombe was a body blow to Davies who, at 25, had been kicking his heels behind Dan Biggar for a number of years. When the voluble Welsh pivot upped sticks to Northampton, the assumption was that Davies would take over the No10 role he had longed for. It wasn’t to be.
After much soul-searching, he decided that throwing his scrum-cap in with the Dragons was the best course of action as he would be clear first-choice out-half 50-odd miles east of the Liberty.
Just months later, before the domestic season had even started, Anscombe incurred a season-ending injury, leaving the Ospreys short at fly-half and no doubt privately rueing the decision to let Davies go. With just the inexperienced Luke Price and Super Rugby’s Marty McKenzie failing to settle, the region went on to endure the worst season of their 17-year history, losing a head coach in a rudderless campaign.
Correspondingly, the Dragons had probably had their most promising season in some time, with nine wins in 19 games. Davies was an ever-present. If he was so inclined, he could afford a moment’s schadenfreude at what he left behind, but that’s not in his make-up.
“I thought it was going to be a very tough decision but when I look back now, with everything that went on, it’s funny how rugby works out,” he told RugbyPass.
“If you look at the Ospreys, on paper they have a good squad but with all the internationals away and injuries, results slipped away from them. I wouldn’t wish the season they had on anybody at the Liberty, but perhaps it’s made my move look more sensible.”
Despite his move, he bears no grudges to his old employer. “Listen, I’d been competing with Dan for four of five years before that and I didn’t feel I needed to prove myself to anyone. In all honesty, I didn’t feel like they needed to sign an outside-half at the Ospreys but ultimately it wasn’t my decision. When that news came through, there’s no doubt it pushed me towards the Dragons.”
Initially, despite offers from further afield, Davies had made his decision based on wanting to stay in Wales because he coveted pulling on the three feathers again. Within months, after some composed early performances for the Dragons, he did just that, playing for half-an-hour against the Barbarians.
“I had a call from (Wayne) Pivac at the start of the season and that gave me a bit of confidence. The Baa-Baas was my first game back on the international scene after over two years out so I was nervous, I’m not going to lie.”
When Davies reflects on his modest eight Welsh caps he maintains he hasn’t looked out of place, an imposter in the fabled No10 shirt. “We’ve won six out of eight Tests and I haven’t felt out of my depth. I’ve felt comfortable.”
While Davies initially didn’t get picked for the 2020 Six Nations, he was called up and at one stage it looked like he was in line for some game time against England before Biggar’s Lazarus-style recovery. “When Dan was struggling with his knee, I was on stand-by but I have been sitting on the bench for him quite a few times now, so I wasn’t surprised he started. He’s one tough cookie.”
As for the current pecking order with Wales, when questioned over whether he sees himself as number five in the pecking order behind Biggar, Anscombe, Rhys Patchell and Jarrod Evans, Davies rightly backs himself. “I wouldn’t put myself in any order. People can get injured and things can change very quickly. That’s the challenge and why I stayed in Wales.”
One other factor that has given Davies some hope is the fact the Warren Gatland era has come to an end, something that has given overlooked players hopes of rekindling Test ambitions. “It’s a clean slate with Warren leaving. I never really played under him because Rob Howley was in charge in 2017 before the Lions and Robin McBryde was in charge on the summer tour.”
A major part in his decision-making came from one-to-one conversations with Dean Ryan, who saw the Dragons transfer over the line. “As a player, you just want someone who is going to invest in you and allow you to be your own man and contribute in the way you do best. That’s what he has done in abundance for me. He has really helped my game. Hopefully, his arrival has given a few of the boys a bit of hope.”
Davies made the move in the full knowledge that the Dragons had endured some fallow years. The region had changed ownership and coaches exited on a regular basis, with Lyn Jones, Kingsley Jones and Bernard Jackman all coming and going. But Ryan has given them the confidence needed to stop navel-gazing and be proud of the region they represent.
“Dean is a big man and he has a presence when he comes into the room. He won’t be bullied. The Dragons needed a strong personality, someone to puff out our chests.” That said, Davies makes it clear that Ryan has tempered expectations, not fanned them.
“It’s not an overnight, flipping-the-switch type situation here. It’s a long-term process. He’s looking at the academy boys and bringing them into training because he knows we’re challenged financially. We will have to be cute in the transfer market because we can’t compete with the Scarlets in terms of the salary cap, so he knows he has to build a real team ethos.”
The 26-year-old says after looking from the outside, it’s quite different inside the camp under Ryan. “Dean has had huge amounts of experience in the Premiership with Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester and it shows. In recent weeks we have been linked with Joe Tomane, Jonah Holmes and Nick Tompkins, which speaks for itself. Would that have happened last year? I’m not sure.”
Whereas some stellar names may yet be added to the Dragons roster, some players Davies was already familiar with were already filling their lockers, including fellow age-grade contemporaries Jack Dixon and Jordan Williams, but it was Rhodri Williams who had the biggest influence on his move.
“I played first with Rhodri at U16 level and we went on to play at U18 and U20 level for Wales where we lost in the final to England. That was a big factor in me going there. He’d played really well for Bristol so, knowing the player I am, I knew we could complement each other. Rhodri used to take a lot on himself but I’d like to think I’ve taken some pressure off him to free him up a bit to score tries.”
Indeed, Davies is no ingénue, having caught the eye from a young age. A winner of the Junior World player of the year in 2013, beating Ardie Savea, Cheslin Kolbe and future England stars Jack Nowell and Henry Slade, by the 2016/17 season the then 23-year-old was gaining traction as the people’s favourite to take the Wales No10 shirt from Biggar.
A series of incidents saw his star wane, however. “I picked up a groin issue before the Wales summer tour of 2017. In hindsight, I should have sorted that out but I was trying to be brave. I knew I’d be starting so I didn’t want to pull out. We got the two wins in horrendous conditions but that is when it really flared up and I came back struggling.
“I remember being asked to play in a start-of-season game even though I’d done no running, but I was kidding myself. I remember us starting up at Glasgow where I couldn’t function properly and after a few games of trying to force it, my confidence started taking a bit of a kicking. I went into a spiral.”
After reaching a nadir, it was decided that Davies was to see a groin specialist in Dublin. Enda King had treated Dan Carter and that was enough of a recommendation for the fly-half to get himself fixed. “I stayed there for a week because Enda knows his groins. I told him I could run, but I couldn’t get to my top pace and kicking had become an issue.
“Thankfully he was able to get to the bottom of it. It was tough mentally but I’ve learnt it’s how you come out on the other side. Even in my final season I thought I played well at the Ospreys, picking up a few man of the match awards. I certainly didn’t feel the fans were desperate to get rid of me.”
With 19 games chalked off with the Dragons including a never-to-be-forgotten last-gasp drop goal against the Scarlets, Davies said the time in lockdown has given him time to reflect and refocus. “I guess I’ve matured. I’m no longer the 23-year-old who likes just going out for a drink with the boys.”
On the field, too, Davies feels a new-found maturity has led to an evolution in his game. “I can rein it in nowadays. If you get a coach who allows you to express yourself and allows you to flourish under his framework, that’s ideal but you have to know where the line is and that’s where I’ve come on. My decision-making has improved.”
Known for prodigious footballing skills, Davies has been seen on social media trying a variety of trick shots, including chipping a rugby ball through an open house window. It begs the question, is he the northern hemisphere’s rival to Quade Cooper? “I’m not sure about that,” he laughed.
“But we’re eight weeks in (to lockdown) and it’s important to keep connected to the fans on social media. Some of the rugby boys take the mick but as players we have a responsibility to keep the game in the public eye because if we go cold the fans could fade away and get used to a life without rugby. That would be a nightmare for everyone.”
Whatever transpires in the coming months, Davies will keep working on his game. One of the areas he has come under scrutiny is his defence but he says he is not shying away from the physical stuff and is relishing his role as the Dragons’ matador-in-chief.
Thanks for nominations lads @aled009 @HTayls5 and @scottbaldwin2 .. I’ll pass the mantle onto @lukeymogz @tomhabbers @ashton_hewitt #goodtimes pic.twitter.com/i433jSY4gP
— Sam Davies (@samdavey1993) April 6, 2020
“As you get older, you fill out a little bit and I put some more emphasis on gym work last summer. Inevitably as an outside-half, you’re going to get targeted by every team you play, so you have to come to terms with that otherwise it will eat you up.
“The upside of getting clattered is seeing the player you have put through a hole going under the sticks. That’s the beauty of the game. Sometimes, I’ll dust myself off, look the opposition player in the eye and smile.”
Spoken with the swagger of a true fly-half, it’s clear Davies has relocated his mojo and is back to his old self, ready to breathe fire into the burgeoning Dragons renaissance.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments