Wales' Davies excited to join brother after Olympics success

Wales centre Jonathan Davies made his Wales debut in 2009

Scarlets and Wales centre Jonathan Davies is excited about the prospect of playing alongside his Olympic silver medallist brother James Davies.

Jonathan, 28, has rejoined Scarlets from Clermont Auvergne after signing a dual contract with the WRU.

His younger brother James, 25, part of the Team GB sevens squad in Rio, will be a clubmate.

"James and I have never played together. I've always wanted to play with him," Jonathan explained.

The British and Irish Lions star would relish being selected alongside his open-side flanker brother in Warren Gatland's Wales side.

"I said before I retired, whether it be for the Scarlets or Whitland or Laugharne, that I would like to play with him," Davies told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

James Davies played a starring role in helping Team GB to win a silver medal at the sevens rugby event

"So it should be interesting. We will probably be at each other's throats, rather than the opposition.

"If we can both deliver on the field, who knows? We could play in the same Wales team, which would be really nice."

Rio a 'career highlight'

The 56-times capped centre, who is fit and available for selection for this weekend's Pro12 curtain-raiser with Munster, says supporting his brother in Rio was a career highlight.

Davies attended the Rio Olympics along with other family members.

"It was a great experience to support him. I thought he was outstanding and supporting him was one of the greatest experiences I have had as a rugby player," said Jonathan.

"It was a great few nights. You grow up hoping to play for Wales, or represent the Scarlets or something like that.

"I grew up always watching the Olympics as a sports fan, but I never thought I would get to play in it.

"So it is surreal to think James has got a silver medal, but I am chuffed to bits for him."

Stronger region

Jonathan Davies has praised the strength of the Scarlets squad, including Wales international teammate Jake Ball

Davies, who departed for France in 2014, feels he is returning to a stronger Scarlets and Pro12.

"A few things have changed, but it feels really good to come back and what has been achieved in the past year, the improvement, is good to see," he explained.

"I have really enjoyed working with the coaches so far and looking forward to what I think we can achieve this year.

"There is much more scope for the region to be successful.

"When I left there was a lot of uncertainty with the region and the union and for me to leave at that point was the right time.

Jonathan Davies on the ball for the Scarlets in 2012

"But coming back? The region is in a much better place.

"There is an edge about the boys, they want to push for silverware and having been here previously, I can see there is a big improvement in terms of the standard of the working week.

"We can beat anyone in the Pro12."

Back where he belongs

Davies says the prospect of damaging his international hopes made returning to Wales an easy decision.

Warren Gatland has been clear in his desire to have Welsh players representing the four regions and WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips says leading exiles could miss out on Test selection.

"You have got to play for your region to get yourself in the best position to play international rugby," he said.