Jonathan Davies says the British & Irish Lions backline is growing in confidence with every outing.
The back division may have been hit hard by injuries to Rob Kearney, Jamie Roberts, Tommy Bowe, Manu Tuilagi and George North but they have still taken the Australian public by surprise in creating plenty of problems for the opposition in the first five games of the tour.
Mike Phillips, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton, O’Driscoll, North, Bowe, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny have all joined Davies in crossing the whitewash against the Barbarians, Force, Reds, Combined Country or the Waratahs as Warren Gatland’s men showed their willingness to spread the ball wide and it keep it alive as often as possible.
And fresh from another fine showing in Sydney on Saturday, Davies believes there’s more to come from the backs as The Lions target a first Test win against the Wallabies next week.
“The performance form the pack was extremely powerful and dynamic and as a back line, when we had the ball, we had to use it efficiently and at times we did. We showed how much as a back division we are growing in confidence,” said Davies, after touching down for The Lions’ final try against the Tahs as the backs contributed four of the five scores at the Allianz Stadium.
“There is a lot to build on. The foundations are there, we just have to drive it in training and be harsh on ourselves. The two 10s have really driven that and demanded high standards.
“Having being brought together initially from all over we have gelled pretty quickly and we look pretty dangerous.”
Davies was one of the standout performers in the 47-17 success against a fired up New South Wales side but the Welsh centre is refusing to get carried away, even though fellow midfielder O’Driscoll was singing his praises to Gatland after the game.
Instead Davies just wants to get his head down this week, work hard and make the most of any opportunity that might come his way in Brisbane on Saturday.
“You need to give yourself time on the ball and let things unfold in front of you. Rob (Howley’s) a big driver of that and I’ve worked hard on it and now have to make sure we keep doing that in the week,” added Davies, who wouldn’t have any problems moving from outside to inside centre if Roberts fails to recover from a leg injury.
“I have to make sure I do my recovery and then train hard. I want to look forward to what comes in the next few weeks but I am not getting ahead of myself.
“If I was selected at 12 I would be more than happy. There’s time to prepare. Hopefully Jamie pulls through but I am sure we have plenty of time to work on it.
“The squad have a great momentum and a great understanding. It’s the ultimate – you hear about it from those who have been on past tours and they say it is the ultimate rugby experience. There is an opportunity now to make sure we create history because it has been a long time since The Lions won a series.”
