Sam Davies has revealed he might have become Welsh rugby’s forgotten man had he turned his back on regional rugby.
The fly-half has moved from the Liberty Stadium and the Ospreys to join the Dragons, with the intention of jogging the memory of those who have forgotten he is already a full international.
Davies, now 25, won the last of his eight caps two summers ago and admits his move to Rodney Parade is all down to rekindling interest in his talent by the new Wales coaching team.
In choosing the Dragons, he rejected lucrative offers to play in both England and France where he would have fallen foul of the 60-cap rule.
“Playing in the red of Wales again is the main reason I’m staying in Wales. It was time for me to move on in my career and it is a very logical move for me, it makes sense,” said Davies.
“I’m only 25 and I’ve got a lot of my career ahead of me. If I’d moved away then my ambitions to get back into the Wales team would have gone.
“I could have become the forgotten man at a time when I want to stamp my authority on the field here in Wales. This is the best opportunity for me to do that.
“I had to think about my Wales ambitions and the opportunity that has arisen here will give me the chance to push for more honours if I can get my stuff right. Doing well here will, hopefully, help me get some more recognition.”
Despite being an Osprey throughout his professional career to date, scoring 836 points in 150 games over the past eight seasons, Davies will find himself among friends at the Dragons.
The move will allow him to link-up once again with four of his 2013 Wales U20 team mates – Rhodri Williams, Jack Dixon, Elliot Dee and James Benjamin – who all reached the final of the Junior World Championships in France.
Wales went down 23-15 to an England side that had another Dragons player, Ross Moriarty, in their back row, but there was a post-final boost for Davies when he was named the World Rugby Junior Player of the Year.
“There is plenty of potential here, but that has been said for a couple of years. Hopefully, we can move forward as a team and with a bit of direction, I’d like to think from myself, these boys can blossom,” said Davies.
“I enjoyed some very good days together with Rhodri in the Under 20 campaign, which was a really good time in my career.
“To have a half-back partner in who you have trust, and who you have played with before, only gives you confidence.”