Davies Happy to Reprise Full-Back Role

Alex Davies is more than happy to reprise his full back role as London Welsh travel to Headingley on Sunday to take on Leeds Carnegie in their Championship semi-final 1st leg (kick-off 1pm).

The versatile Davies, who has also lined out at fly half and scrum half for the Exiles this season, played a starring role in the number 15 jersey during the club's Championship winning season two years ago.

"I love playing nine or ten, but first of all I just love to play. I'm happy to play anywhere for the team,” said Davies.

"I've obviously got a bit of variety to where I can play and if the coaches see me influencing the game at 15 then so be it. I'm looking forward to it.”

It promises to be tense and tight at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday, but having been here before Davies knows exactly what's required over two legs if the Exiles are to overcome Leeds and reach the Championship final.

"You've got to limit mistakes; at this stage of the season the team that loses tends to be the one that makes the most mistakes” he said.

"You've got to play error free rugby and pick up as many points as you can, home and away.”

Davies was in the London Welsh side which edged out Bedford Blues by just three points on aggregate in the Championship semi-finals two years ago – the Exiles winning 13-3 at Goldington Road before sneaking home 24-17 at Old Deer Park.

"It was a close affair but we did the hard work away from home. A good performance in the 1st leg is key; it sets you up for the 2nd leg,” recalled Davies.

A prolific goalkicker, Davies had already set records at Plymouth Albion before joining Welsh in 2011. He's gone on to amass 563 points in 71 appearances for the Exiles in all competitions, and that tally includes a 16-point haul in Welsh's victory at Headingley Carnegie earlier in the season. The boot of Davies helping the Exiles to overturn a 24-12 deficit to win 31-24.

"They scored straight after half-time but Rossy [Gordon Ross] pulled us together and we started attacking, putting the pressure on them and they made mistakes and gave away penalties,” he said.

"Rossy started kicking that game but missed a couple and as Gordon would do, he passed it on straight away.

"But that was right at the start of the season and I don't think the previous games come into it at all.”

He'll face competition for the kicking tee on Sunday from Ross, but whoever assumes the responsibility Davies is expecting two titanic encounters with Leeds and the outcome of the tie to come down to the return meeting at the Kassam Stadium on May 18, kick-off 12:45pm.

"We've had two close games against them; they're a very good team, a very good attacking team. They love to play rugby from anywhere. They can be very dangerous so defensively we've got to be on our guard,” said Davies.

"You can talk about it [aggregate] in the build up, but you've got to take the first game as it comes and just try and pick up as many points as you can.

"It was nice to have last weekend off, we've a few injuries here and there, and the boys are refreshed. We've worked really hard these last couple of days.

"The Championship is a long old season and you can't really afford too many dips in form. We're grateful to be in the semis and we've played some decent rugby to get here.”