STAND-IN skipper Rhodri Williams believes Sam Davies has been “putting his hand up” for a chance to add to his collection of Wales caps thanks to some standout performances in a Dragons jersey.

Williams, leading the team in the absence of lock Cory Hill, remains hopeful that fly-half Davies will get another opportunity to shine on the international stage.

Davies, 26, who struck the winning penalty for his region against the Cheetahs, has eight caps to his name, the last coming in Samoa on the 2017 summer tour.

An injury sustained by Northampton’s Dan Biggar on the weekend raised concerns surrounding his involvement in the remainder of the Six Nations.

That prompted questions about a possible Davies call-up for scrum-half Williams and Dragons boss Dean Ryan following the 13-10 defeat of the Cheetahs at Rodney Parade – and it emerged today that Davies is training with the national squad.

“If he just keeps his head down, keeps working, hopefully that call comes,” said Williams, who has three caps for Wales himself.

“With his performances, he’s definitely been putting his hand up.

“He just needs to keep working hard day-to-day and hopefully he can get a chance.”

And on that last-gasp kick to give the Dragons a fifth Guinness PRO14 win in 12 this term, Williams added: “It’s all he’s about, he’s done it four or five times this year, so it’s a credit to him to hold his nerve.

“And it’s a kick you’d expect him to kick, so that’s even more pressure.”

Meanwhile, Williams was delighted to see his men keep going to the end against the South Africans.

“You just have to get your heads down and keep working, get your own things right, and we’ve been very good in the last 20 minutes,” he said.

“We’re not league winners, far from it, but if we can just keep in the game, we’ve got plenty of belief going into the last 20 minutes.

“There were plenty of positives but also plenty to work on, and hopefully we can put those right on Friday.

“Hopefully we can fulfil the fixture. It will be good to get it done and it’s great to play at home again.

“We’re moving in the right direction so let’s keep building.

“We’re not putting any pressure on ourselves and we’ll keep looking to improve week on week.”