British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies is counting down the hours to his first European final – and keeping his fingers crossed for a starting role.
Davies, who played a key role in the Lions’ series win over Australia in 2013, joined French outfit Clermont Auvergne last summer.
And after he helped them past Saracens in a hard-fought semi-final earlier this month, the 27-year-old is hoping to add club honours to his long list of achievements with Wales and the Lions.
Two-time reigning European champions Toulon stand between Davies and a winner’s medal but he is desperate to help brush them aside at Twickenham this weekend.
“As a player, you want to test yourself on the highest stage and in club rugby this is as good as it gets, so every player in the squad is excited about it,” he wrote in his Sky Sports column.
“It really is a double-edged sword, as a big club plays host to plenty of big names.
“There are a host of players who can easily step into a starting berth in any given week, and as a result the competition for places is always feverish.
“Of course I’d love to be running out at Twickenham on Saturday, but I understand that playing for such a top club means missing out occasionally.
“It’s always disappointing to be left out of the team, but you just put that aside and help whoever it is that’s got your jersey and wait your turn to make an impact.”
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