Davies gets controller's role

WALES have asked Jonathan Davies to fire their back line once again eight years after he won the last of his 27 caps. At the age of 34, he will be the oldest post-war out-half to play in the red jersey.

Davies's last appearance for his country was on December 10th, 1988, when, under his captaincy, Wales became the first major International Board country to lose at home to an emerging nation in a full Test. Recriminations followed and Davies joined the exodus of Welsh players north.

Almost eight years to the day, he will on Sunday resume his Wales career against Australia at the National Stadium, a ground where five years ago he was banned from being interviewed on the pitch because he was a rugby league professional. Now he carries the hopes of a nation once more.

Davies is one of three changes made by Wales following their streaky victory over Italy in Rome last month. Neil Jenkins, whose boot has kept Wales in several matches this decade, has been deposed at outside-half as the coach, Kevin Bowring, seeks a more adventurous approach.

"We need game controllers and decision-makers in the side," said Bowring, who saw Davies excel for Wales in last weekend's Dubai Sevens. "Jonathan has the knack of doing the right thing at the right time, as his performances during Cardiff's European Cup run have shown. He offers both experience and expertise."

Despite his wealth of caps, Jenkins has struggled to get his line moving. Beaten packs have not helped, nor has his tendency to stand still when receiving a pass. Davies may not have the pace of yore, but his reading of the game and an ability to bring the best out of those around him make him as formidable a player.

"There is always a danger that people will expect too much," he said. "I am not the same player as when I left. I have improved in some aspects and am weaker in others.

When he returned to Welsh rugby 13 months ago, Davies received a rapturous homecoming but failed to break into the Cardiff team at out-half, struggled with injury and had to cope with the battle of his wife, Karen, against cancer.

"I did think of quitting at the end of last season," said Davies.

If Davies recaptures old glories, then a tour to South Africa with the Lions, the one honour in the game which has eluded him, will beckon. "If I had not gone north in 1989, I think I would have gone to Australia with the Lions that year, he said.

"It is still too early to think about South Africa, but I have got a foot on the ladder. When I heard I was playing against South Africa, Karen and I looked at me in the mirror and laughed. Karen has been fighting her illness well, and maybe my selection is the bit of luck we need."