Six Nations 2024: Gareth Davies hopes Wales can still lift nation
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Gareth Davies' Scarlets have won just two games out of 13 this season
Scrum-half Gareth Davies believes Wales can still defy their domestic woes when it comes to the Six Nations title race.
A Welsh region has not come close to winning the United Rugby Championship, formerly Pro14, in the past six years.
But in that time Wales have won the Six Nations twice, including a Grand Slam, and reached a World Cup semi-final.
With budget cuts sparking a player exodus from Welsh clubs, the need for the national team to provide the feel-good factor is as stark as ever.
Ospreys are the only Welsh team in the top half of the URC and the last flying the flag in Europe.
"There's no hiding that we've had a very tough couple of months for the majority of the regions," said Davies.
"Coming into Wales is a completely different environment. Different coaches, different style of playing.
"When you take a handful of players from each region that have been playing pretty well, and bring them together into the national squad, then you have a half-decent team.
"The likes of Cam [Winnett], Alex Mann and Mackenzie [Martin], they've all played some good stuff for Cardiff against some top teams [in the Champions Cup].
"When the half-decent team starts training, working hard and preparing, hopefully we can all come together for a big game against the Scots. I'm really excited for it."
Wales have the first of seven training days on Tuesday as they build up to their Six Nations opener against Scotland in Cardiff on 3 February.
Head coach Warren Gatland has had to pick one of the most inexperienced Wales squads because of injuries, retirements and unavailability, a group that is led by the second-youngest captain in Welsh history in Dafydd Jenkins.
Outside-half question
But while Gatland is forced to blood new talent, scrum-half remains a position of strength.
Davies, with 74 caps, will compete with Cardiff's Tomos Williams, who has 53, for the number nine jersey.
Sam Costelow (right) has won five of his eight caps alongside Gareth Davies
The man who lines up outside whoever is given the nod remains to be seen with Davies' Scarlets team-mates Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd, as well as Dragons' Cai Evans, vying for the job.
"Sam has really developed over the last 12 months, particularly at the World Cup," said Davies.
"He really seemed to learn a lot from spending time with [Dan Biggar] in terms of leadership and game management.
"But I've also been a fan of Ioan's for a long time. I thought when he won his first cap a few years ago that this kid had everything. He has real flair but can play different positions, which helps a coach."
Given the youth of the squad, with an average of 25, Davies now has a new role to play as a 33-year-old veteran of eight previous tournaments.
"I came into the environment 10 years ago and I never thought I would be the oldest in the squad," he said.
"I don't really know what to think about it, but I still feel pretty good, still feel young and fit, so hopefully I can keep up with the youngsters coming in!"
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