Bradley Davies out to prove he is a big fish in England

New Wasps lock Bradley Davies reckons a spell outside the “goldfish bowl” of Wales will help rekindle his love of the game and boost his chances of featuring for his country at next year’s World Cup.
Davies admits to becoming stale at former club Cardiff Blues and does not believe a stint in the Premiership should hinder his chances of earning a recall and adding to the 42 caps he has already won.
“It was a very hard decision to leave Cardiff,” Davies, 27, told The Rugby Paper. “I’d been there nine years and spent most of my life there, but I’d got to the stage where I’d gone stale and felt my career was stalling.
“I’ve had a couple of bad injuries, picked up a couple of bans and just felt I needed a fresh start and to get out of my comfort zone.
“It’s a big move for me with a young family but it’s something I really needed to do.
“The easiest thing would have been to stay in Wales and carry on playing there, but Wales can be a bit of a goldfish bowl and it was the right time to move and try to bring new parts and bit of edge to my game.
“People talk about playing outside Wales and how that might affect my international chances, but my view is that if you’re playing well enough for your club there should be no reason why I can’t play for Wales.
“There’s no bigger privilege for a Welshman than playing for Wales and it’s not something you can take for granted.
“But I’ve come to Wasps to play rugby in a very good league and get myself back up and running again.
“Hopefully, my form will warrant a Welsh place. If it doesn’t I’ll take it on the chin, but I’m confident I can help take Wasps to the next level and push my career on that way.
“I’ve spoken to Wales coach Warren Gatland and told him my reasons. It’s done now, there’s no point looking back and it’s a new start I’m excited about.”
Davies revealed that the lure of linking up with Dai Young, his old boss at Cardiff, was a major factor in his decision to head east.
He explained: “People think you just move for the money or rugby reasons but, for me, it’s got to be the all-round package and with Dai being a guy I respect and played for as a youngster, it made the decision easier.
“A couple of years before I joined Cardiff they were struggling but Dai turned things around and we went on to win the Anglo-Welsh and Amlin Cups and reach the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, so that’s another factor.
“Dai’s strength is he’s a great man-manager and a very good coach with a track record of improving teams and players. He wants me to play for Wales, wants me to improve and I’ve been made to feel welcome here.
“Having Stephen Jones as backs coach means there’s another Welsh connection, too, and it seemed the right move to make.
“Wasps have shown some real intent in the market and brought in real top quality players. They’re building a really good side and, walking around the place, you’re thinking, ‘bloody hell, we’ve got a good squad here!’
“It feels like the start of a new era. As a kid, Wasps were always one of the biggest teams in England and there’s a huge buzz around the place again. I’m new but you can tell things are heading in the right direction.”
Davies is reluctant to comment on the ongoing situation in Wales, where international colleagues Sam Warburton and Adam Jones have been caught in the crossfire as rows between the WRU and regions continue.
But he added: “I speak to a couple of people and as a Welshman and a Welsh rugby fan, it’s not nice to see. But there are too many good things and good people involved for it not to be sorted out in the end.
“I’m just happy here and I’m looking forward to playing in the Premiership – a big, physical league that I think will suit my game.”
NEALE HARVEY
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on July 27.