Boarding Pass - Jonathan Davies

Name: Jonathan Davies
Club: Llanelli Scarlets
Position: Centre
International Honours: Wales (7 caps), Wales U20s

Over the past seven days the news has all been about a certain Welsh centre – or ‘fly-half’ – but this is going to focus on another – Jonathan Davies.

At just 22 the centre has the raw materials to go far, and will hope if his form at Llanelli continues he can add to his collection of caps he has already begun to amass.

With Henson only performing in front of television cameras for the next few months, and Jamie Roberts out of Wales’ autumn internationals after undergoing wrist surgery, Davies has the best opportunity he could wish for to impress Warren Gatland and make the red 12 shirt his own.

During his man-of-the-match performance against Magners League new boys Aironi last weekend, he demonstrated the repertoire of skills he has at his disposal, and the base he already has from where he must improve.

Each of his three tries showed another facet of his attacking play. The first came from a perfectly timed and well angled run which split the Italians’ defence, as well as pace and dexterity to take him half the length of the field to score.

Great support play made his second possible, always on the shoulder of the equally impressive George North, while power completed his hat-trick as his tackler could only watch on lying in his wake.

Playing outside the fantastically experienced and calm Stephen Jones, and inside Regan King - whose skill and flair was epitomised with the timing and execution of the inside ball for Davies’ opening score - is only going to benefit his rugby education; and the step up to international level could be quite a familiar one, with his team-mate at fly-half and James Hook creating holes as his centre partner.

In defence he is no mug – willing to get stuck in at the breakdown and committed in the tackle, he played at times as an extra back-row forward.

Chances of flying to New Zealand: 7/10 – If the Wales World Cup squad was picked tomorrow, Davies would almost certainly be guaranteed a place, but come next year much may have changed. Roberts and Hook will occupy two of the centre berths and a lot depends on what the future holds for other contenders like Henson and Tom Shanklin.

The scrum-hatted back’s future is largely in his own hands but he might miss out if Gatland prefers experience over the exuberance of youth - though it would be a very tough call.