Davies: Wants his place back

The Cardiff Blues ace had become a virtual Wales ever-present over the past 18 months since making his full Test debut in the 2010 RBS Six Nations.

However at the World Cup he has found himself behind Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones - with the duo having started the opening Pool D clash against South Africa last Sunday.

And with coach Warren Gatland unlikely to make many changes for Sunday's encounter with Samoa in Hamilton, Davies knows he has a fight on his hands.

"Obviously, I was bit gutted not to be starting against South Africa, but it is one of those things," he said.

"Rugby is like that - it's swings and roundabouts.

"One day you are the first choice and you are playing well, but the next day you are out.

"But I still believe in my ability and I know I can offer a lot of things other locks can't.

"But, look, Luke and Alun were outstanding at the weekend, and I respect them for that.

"Whoever gets the lucky seat, as they say, whoever starts knows they have got another second-row pushing.

"For me now, it's about training well and putting pressure on Luke and Alun.

"We are a good group of guys, us three. We talk a lot about the game and we bounce off each other.

"We are all supportive of whoever gets the start. I am probably not quite in favour at the moment, but I have got to keep working hard and push my way back in."

Wales go into the game on the back of the 17-16 loss to South Africa and knowing they have to win their remaining group games if they are to reach the quarter-finals.

And Davies added: "Winning is the next step for us, finishing these games off. We have said it in the past about pushing teams very close but not quite having the win at the end.

"Maybe it's a bit of luck, but once it comes - that big win - I think a lot will follow.

"Now, it is quite easy, it is knockout rugby. If we don't win every game, we are out.

"At least it's all in writing for us now. Before the tournament, it was 'you can win this game, you can't win that one.' Now we have to win them all.

"That is the pressure we put on ourselves, to try and perform at the highest level. We are sick and tired of being told we can't do things.

"Warren Gatland has installed in us the belief we can do things and win. We want to show that, and we are looking forward to Samoa."