Jonathan Davies of Wales(Image: World Rugby)

Jonathan Davies: My plan after rugby, Gatland's influence and the one that got away

The Scarlets and Wales star has announced his retirement from rugby

14 Oct 2024, 09:11 by Ruth Mosalski · Wales Online

Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies has announced his retirement from rugby. In an interview he discussed his top moments and what comes next, as well as the impact Warren Gatland had on him.

The 36-year-old, who has recently become a father for the first time, left the Scarlets in the summer and had hinted he would look for another club, but has now announced his retirement.

He told BBC Wales' Breakfast show: "I was fully aware that I wasn't expecting an opportunity in the URC, we wanted as a family to maybe travel and maybe look to enjoy the early part of our new family so the moment had come and for me it just felt right to draw a line in the sand, move on from what's been a very special time in my life, I'm excited about what's next to come.

"I know I've been extremely fortunate, and I've been lucky enough to play with and against some of the other greats and call a lot of my friends. I never got into it to be to be a world great, I was just very lucky to live out a dream. I'm just really proud of what I've been able to achieve."

He said it was around the age of 14 or 15 that he realised he could have a career in rugby. "A lot of people were complimentary about how I was good at that age and the Scarlets were in negotiations within the academy and, I just thought, to have the opportunity to call my hobby a job, I dived straight into it and gave it my all. I was never going to relinquish the opportunity I was given. I was very grateful for that opportunity and throughout my career was always trying to play at the highest level and make my family and friends proud. That was always what drove me to keep working and keep pursuing the highest level I could reach."

He had more than 200 appearances for his boyhood team, and said winning the Pro12 in 2017 was his highlight of his time there. "I think that period of time where we went on a bit of a run for the Scarlets it as great to be a part of some of the best rugby I think I've played in with that group we had. It was good on and off the field.

"We were lucky we had such a great, strong squad, the experience across the board and we had a way we wanted to play and that was pushed by Stephen Jones. And I think we fully committed to it and when you get everyone buying into that on the field, it was great to watch and great to be a part of.

"I think that's something that doesn't happen that often, but that period of time was very special."

Davies ended his career with 96 Wales caps. The first in Toronto in 2009. "A lot of the other Welsh starters were on the Lions tour so I got my opportunity and I was very proud. The only thing it was in that not so nice yellow kit," he said.

"I think Grand Slams, championships, playing in the Principality, playing with my brother for Wales was something that was an amazing moments for us as a family, that is probably is definitely up there as one of my best moments in a Welsh jersey." Get the latest news by signing up for our Rugby newsletter

Asked to pick between the two World Cup semi-finals he played in for Wales, in 2019 in Japan and 2011 in New Zealand, he said: "The two semis are both really close and always look back and you know, in 2011 we probably should have won that game even with 14 men but we went into our shells,. That was probably the one that really got away. In 2019 we were we had a lot of injuries. Liam Williams went down in the week and we picked up more injuries and in the semi as well. Definitely, you play on the world stage and you get close to the pinnacle in the playing in the final but still they were unbelievable runs and for a very small nation. To play for Wales is a great honour and that group when they represent their country, we tried our best and we got extremely close.

"It is frustrating when you look back at it".

Asked about the impact his Lions and Wales coach Warren Gatland has had on him, he said: "When I first started, he always said that I was like a rabbit in the headlights, but he gave me confidence and he always backed me and I think that was one of his strengths was he always made you feel you were probably better than you were.

"He always made you be able to put your chest out and give you a rocket if you needed it. I think he was able to read his players and put them in the best frame mentally to go out and and compete at the highest level. The faith he showed in me over the years at crucial moments I took that responsibility hugely. I appreciated that chance to really test myself at the highest levels."

Asked what was next, he said he was enjoying working on the new BBC Scrum V podcast. "I'm enjoying being involved in that and I'm looking forward to spend more time with my own family, but I'm throwing myself into my testimonial at the moment, and we've got six months left of that and hopefully we can raise money for a great cause in Latch Cymru and whatever opportunities that come my way, I'm excited. It's a new chapter. I've known no different from rugby for 18 years, but I think what is in front I'll take head on and and see what happens."