Davies starts Saturday’s clash with Crusaders at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium as Warren Gatland’s tourists aim to get back to winning ways following their surprise defeat to Auckland Blues.
“It’s not good on the sidelines watching,” said Davies, who missed the Lions’ first two games after his late arrival followed the Scarlets’ stunning Guinness PRO12 title success.
“I’ve had to bide my time. I came into camp quite late, but I’m just excited to get out there on the field now.
“The competition in the whole squad is very fierce. You look at the 41 players, everyone is talented. They are the best of the home nations and it’s the same in the centre.
“I am concentrating on making sure I do everything in my preparation and performance to get the result on Saturday. You have to make sure you take your opportunities, work to what the coaches want, and not try and go outside the box.”
Davies partners Ben Te’o in midfield for the Lions as they look to end Crusaders’ unbeaten run. The Super Rugby side have won all 14 of their league games this season and are full of confidence.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and George North are other Welshmen to start on Saturday, with Gatland arguing his centre selection for the three-Test series with the All Blacks will be one of the most competitive areas of competition.
The pressure is on the Lions to deliver a result, and Davies’ experience of the successful 2013 tour of Australia – where he was involved in all three Tests – should come in handy.
He added: “I haven’t been nervous. I’m just excited for the opportunity to play for the Lions again. It’s the highest honour in rugby. The end of the season was great for us with the Scarlets.
“We were playing with a lot of confidence and it was a lot of fun as well. I enjoyed that. But this is a totally different kettle of fish. It’s almost a Test match every other day or so.
“Test match rugby is so much faster. There isn’t as much space as in regional rugby.”
Both Te’o and Davies will hope half backs Conor Murray and Owen Farrell can give them front foot ball.
Without it, they could find themselves stuck in reverse against a Crusaders side which features an All Blacks tight five of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano and captain Sam Whitelock.
“You look at the amount of All Blacks they have and it’s a tough test,” said Davies.
“Crusaders are the form team in Super Rugby, but we have to look to stick in the arm wrestle and come out on top of them. The opportunity we have on Saturday is to get momentum back into this tour.
“Touring with the Lions is very tough and a test of character. At the moment, we are reacting well. It’s all very positive. We need to enjoy the occasion and get the win.
“Crusaders kick the ball the least in Super Rugby. They are going to run from anywhere, so we all need to be on the same page in defence. Discipline is key for us too.
“We can’t give these teams opportunities to get territory and attack. We can’t give away soft penalties because they love playing with ball in hand.
“Hopefully we can put in a good performance together. It’s a very important match on this tour.”
British & Irish Lions: Stuart Hogg; George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), George Kruis, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Anthony Watson
Crusaders: Israel Dagg; Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock (capt), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua
Replacements: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Jed Brown, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Tim Bateman
