Wales up for Scots – Davies (From Western Telegraph)

Wales up for Scots – Davies

11:50am Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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WALES will fight fire with fire when Scotland come to Cardiff looking for their first win at the Millennium Stadium for eight years, said Bradley Davies.

The Scots will no doubt be up for a physical battle with 6ft 7in enforcer Nathan Hines usually at the forefront of their forward effort.

The Leinster lock is known as the bad boy of Scottish rugby with a reputation for uncompromising play.

He became the first Scotland player to be sent off in a Test match when he was dismissed against the USA Eagles in 2002 for punching forward Dan Anderson.

On being asked yesterday what he thought about Scotland’s Australian-born hard man from Wagga Wagga, fellow second row Davies said: “Nathan’s a really good player with the experience of playing for the Lions. He is a very hard physical player.

“But you have to put your own stamp on the game. If they are getting physical, you have to be even more physical.”

And Davies, who won his sixth cap in the defeat to England on the weekend, vows the faltering Welsh line-out will improve against Scotland on Saturday.

The 6ft 6in Cardiff Blues lock, from Llantrisant, said: “I’m sure it will be better this weekend. We will be working hard on it. You can’t just blame one person, it is to do with the throw, the lift, the call and the jump.”

Davies, 23, believes the Scots were unfortunate to lose their opening Six Nations match to France by 18-9.

“I did think they were unlucky and their forwards played very well,” he said. “France have got a hell of a scrum but I thought the Scots caused them a couple of problems.

“Scotland bring a lot of passion and commitment to the table and we have to match that on the weekend.”

And Davies said he empathises with his second row teammate Alun Wyn Jones who has been slated by fans, pundits and even by coach Warren Gatland for his costly yellow card against England. He said: “I feel sorry for Alun Wyn. He’s a really nice guy and a world class player. I feel very disappointed for him.”