Scrum-half Davies to join exclusive Scarlets club

Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies has scored 17 tries in 77 Wales internationals

United Rugby Championship: Scarlets v Cardiff

Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday, 28 September Kick-off: 17:15 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales. Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies will join an exclusive club when he plays his 250th game for Scarlets against Cardiff in Llanelli on Saturday evening.

Davies, 34, will become only the third Scarlets player to achieve the milestone since the inception of regional rugby in 2003.

He will emulate the achievements of prop Phil John and hooker Ken Owens when he runs out for the United Rugby Championship (URC) Welsh derby.

"It is a big honour to reach 250 appearances," said Davies.

"There are some big names with that many games, so it's an honour for me to be associated with the likes of them.

"This club means everything to me and I love being here. Hopefully there are a few more seasons left."

Davies came through the Scarlets academy ranks and featured for the Llanelli semi-professional side before making his debut against Dragons at Rodney Parade in 2009.

"Seventeen seasons sounds quite a lot, but the years have flown," said Davies.

"I was probably a bit looser back then, but you soon learn what is required to be a professional rugby player."

Davies is now the oldest player in the Scarlets squad following the departures of Owens and centre Jonathan Davies.

"When I was younger there were a few more experienced boys in the squad and I remember thinking if anybody was early 30s they were old! I hope some of the younger boys in the squad now don't think that about me," said Davies.

"I have looked after myself. The older you get, the more you focus on recovery - you look after your body and your body will look after you.

"I have always considered myself a good professional and I suppose that is why I am still here playing pretty well at the age of 34.

"I just want to keep playing as long as I can. I am the oldest in the squad now but still feel like I am in my late 20s. I keep myself fit and strong, I still feel good."

Since making his international debut in 2014, Davies has played 77 Tests for Wales which has included two Six Nations titles, one Grand Slam, three World Cups and he has also been involved with two British and Irish Lions tours.

Davies toured Australia with Wales last summer but was not involved in the two Test defeats against the Wallabies.

Scrum-halves Ellis Bevan and Kieran Hardy were preferred by Wales head coach Warren Gatland, although Davies did captain the tourists in the uncapped victory against Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

With new Gloucester number nine Tomos Williams also back in the selection equation after missing the summer series because of injury, Davies faces competition to remain in the Wales scrum-half shake-up.

"I just want to keep playing for as long as I can," said Davies.

"Whether that is for Wales or Scarlets, we will see how things go."