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Davies urging patience at the Ospreys

Davies urging patience at the Ospreys

Ospreys lock Bradley Davies has urged his side to take a leaf out of the book of arch rivals the Scarlets as they look to get their season back on track.

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Steve Tandy’s side have suffered three straight defeats to Glasgow, Munster and Treviso with the Swansea-based region set to become the first Welsh side to play a competitive fixture in South Africa when they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this Friday.

“The Scarlets lost their first three games last season and there were panic stations, but they stuck together and went on to win the title playing great rugby,” said 57-times capped Wales international lock Davies. 

“Last year we had a fantastic start, but we finished poorly. I think what matters is the end of the season. If we are in a final and we win it, then that’s what we’re judged on.

“It’s obviously difficult times. We’ve lost three on the bounce, but it’s still early days.

“We’re still developing our pattern and our style of play, but we haven’t played well.

“It doesn’t matter what we say or do in the week, it doesn’t seem to be happening on the field.

“If everyone looks within themselves and thinks about where they can improve, then I’m sure it will transfer into the game at the weekend.”

The Ospreys will face a Cheetahs side fresh from a 38-19 bonus-point victory over Irish giants Leinster.

Despite the size of the challenge facing his side, Davies is enjoying his first trip to South Africa with the Ospreys.

“This is definitely new to me,” he said, when asked about touring the southern hemisphere with his region.

“Even if you travel you normally play the league games and be home the same day or at least in the early hours of the morning.

“You’re back and you can switch off from rugby and then you start building back up for the next game.

“It might not come across on TV, but the boys hurt after a loss because they don’t like losing games. Sometimes you put a brave face on it, but it hurts.

“You lie in your bed after the game thinking I could have done this better or I could have done that better.

“But we are a very honest group and we sit there and go through things. We say this went wrong, this went right, this is what we didn’t do well and that’s the process we go through.

“We then build into next week’s game saying this is what we need to work on that’s at the forefront of our minds going into the match with the Cheetahs.”

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