Pete Ryan: The ‘often overlooked’ Sam Davies still tearing up Pro D2

Arguably the most famous position on a rugby pitch, a fly-half is integral to any side at any level.

Charged with orchestrating the attack and challenging defensive lines, having a world-class operator wearing the 10 shirt is a must for any side.

Watching the best tens is like witnessing an artist at work; in full flow, it is simply poetry in motion.

Welshman Sam Davies is a tremendous talent, an underrated figure when thinking about fly-halves in Wales. The Welsh international has been tearing it up in France’s second division and has a brilliant story.

Laying the Foundation

Hailing from Wales’s second-largest city, Swansea, rugby ran deep through Sam Davies’ veins, as he is the son of former Welsh international Nigel Davies.

The fields of Gorseinon sparked a love for rugby that ran deep. Yet, as a youngster in Swansea City’s academy, it seemed a future in football might lie ahead. Would it be rugby? Would it be football? The egg-shaped ball had Davies’ heart.

His tremendous potential could be seen from the early stages of his career. Like many greats before him—such as Gavin Henson, Alun Wyn Jones, and Dan Biggar—Davies graced the famous St. Helens pitch wearing the iconic white jersey for Swansea RFC.

Stints with Swansea and Aberavon in the Welsh domestic game set the stage for his professional debut.

Time with Ospreys

January 2012 marked Davies’ arrival with Ospreys. He had to bide his time in the Swansea-based club, playing understudy to Dan Biggar in his early days.

His creativity and trusted left boot allowed him to make his mark. Eventually, Biggar would make the move to Northampton, and Ospreys would be looking for a new operator to pull the strings.

It was time for Davies to emerge as a starter.

Replacing a player like Biggar was always going to be a challenge, but Davies wasn’t short on pedigree.

He had already been named the Pro12’s top young talent in 2015–16 and had his spot in the season’s Dream Team.

There is bound to be a seismic amount of pressure stepping in for a player who had been so instrumental to the Ospreys.

Biggar was a cornerstone of the team for a decade. In 2018–19, Davies was operating at a high level—being the leading league scorer with 148 points, along with steering a memorable Judgement Day victory against rivals Cardiff.

Across his tenure, Davies built a reputation as a top-class fly-half, steady in form and sharp under pressure—always ready when the moment called.

Rodney Parade Came Calling

In the summer of 2019, the Dragons made a major move and secured Davies on a two-year contract. Coming to Rodney Parade with one goal—to help rebuild the Gwent-based region.

Entering a team where he was the clear-cut first choice, he was the architect of many memorable moments for the Dragons.

He delivered 13 points in a nail-biting win over the Scarlets and helped write a new chapter in club history by ending an 11-year dry spell against Glasgow Warriors.

The impact Davies made at Rodney Parade can’t go unnoticed. The former Osprey became the Dragons’ third-highest points scorer with 557 points in 70 appearances.

His run inscribed his name on the hearts of Dragons fans, leaving it all on the field and entering battles with full commitment.

His stint with the Dragons would mark the end of a big chapter in his career. But don’t worry—there are still plenty of chapters to turn, including one in France.

First, we will delve into his time on the international stage.

Run on the International Stage

Every rugby player works hard to achieve one goal: to represent their nation. There is something magical about a nation rallying behind its team.

Davies has some phenomenal memories. The Swansea-born player came onto the radar during his stint with the under-20s.

In 2013, he was a key figure in Wales’s unforgettable run to the U20 World Championship final on French soil.

His contribution was seen in his tally of the second-highest number of points. It wasn’t meant to be for that Welsh side, falling to rivals England, but the run captured imaginations back home.

That year, Davies’ achievements were recognised. He took home the IRB Junior Player of the Year award, beating out the likes of Jack Clifford and Ardie Savea to the prize.

Davies etched his name into history as only the second Welshman to claim the honour, walking a path first paved by the great Gavin Henson.

Three years later, he would come off the bench to make his senior debut. Taking on the Wallabies would be a highlight for anyone.

However, Davies’ moment would come just weeks later. Japan put up a very stern challenge against Warren Gatland’s side and were on the verge of something.

The contest was all tied up in the fleeting moments until Davies dropped back in the pocket and calmly struck the ball through the posts. Anxious silence quickly turned into shouts of adulation.

That night, Davies was a hero for a nation. It cemented him as a player who could deliver when it mattered most.

In a June 2017 clash in Auckland, Davies earned his first start for Wales, pulling on the No.10 jersey and steering his side to a win over Tonga.

Davies would face stiff competition for the fly-half position. His last international match was against Samoa in 2017; since then, he has not played for Wales.

Overlooked by his country, he took his chance elsewhere—and now he’s tearing it up in Grenoble.

Tearing It Up in France

Seeking a fresh start, Davies made the move away from Wales to France. 2023 marked new beginnings, joining the French Pro D2 league with FC Grenoble.

He adapted with ease, thriving in his new colours. In his first season alone, Davies racked up 243 points in 25 appearances — a sensational return. 

He added a new element to the French club with his blend of playmaking and pinpoint goal-kicking. Davies helped steer Grenoble to a playoff final, but they came up short.

This year, once again, Davies and Grenoble are in fine form. Perched at the summit of the table, the dream of Top 14 rugby draws closer.

Davies is at the heart of it, and his value to the side is clear in a new deal that keeps him in Grenoble until 2028.

With reports saying Welsh and English clubs were interested in signing him, it shows there is a tremendous amount of loyalty in the fruitful relationship—and it will be fascinating to see what they can achieve together.

Off the Pitch

Davies is doing brilliant things on the rugby pitch, but he is also taking on the business world.

Off the field, he and his wife, Elianna Davies, have poured their passion into a new venture: co-founding Toca Vida Gin, which is crafted in Wales.

The product has been recognised on the global stage. At the World Gin Awards, it took home “World’s Best Contemporary Style Gin.”

Drawing on both Welsh and American traditions, the brand captures the spirit of the couple’s backgrounds and their passion for refined, handcrafted excellence.

Davies has had an intriguing career filled with happy memories and the support of fanbases around the world.

Often overlooked but never outclassed, Davies leaves behind a legacy in Welsh rugby defined by skill, composure, and quiet impact.

Whether in red, black, or blue, Sam Davies has proven that class is permanent—even if recognition sometimes takes the scenic route.

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