Jonathan Davies believes Wales will only grow stronger as the Guinness Six Nations progresses and has not ruled out another title bid.
The veteran came off the bench in Wales’ 20-17 victory against Scotland on Saturday, as the defending champions responded to their Round 1 defeat to Ireland.
A long list of injuries to key players and the 29-7 defeat in Dublin left many sceptical of Wales’ chances this year but their win against Scotland was a marked improvement and proved they won’t relinquish their crown easily.
With the rest week offering a chance to take stock, Davies is content with Wales’ start and warned against writing them off.
Next, they head to Twickenham – where they have not a Guinness Six Nations match in a decade – to face an England team that has also won one from two.
“I think history has shown with this group over the years it gets better the more time we spend together,” Davies said.
“It’s an important week with the fallow week to put some good work in and keep growing as a squad.
“We have the opportunity now to go to Twickenham and take on an England squad that is very competitive. It should be a good game.
“We still have a chance in this competition depending on results, but you want to be in the fight. We go to Twickenham as a group, and we can take some confidence out of our win over Scotland, but we know there’s a huge amount of work to do.”
Saturday’s match was a special one for Davies, who won his 100th international Test cap on the same day as his teammate Dan Biggar.
Six of those came for the Lions, meaning he is still short of his Wales century, and the centre says he still plays with the same hunger he had when he started Test rugby 13 years ago as he nears the milestone.
“I’ve always said the Principality Stadium is the best stadium in the world and we have the best fans,” he said. “Even at the end when the final whistle went nothing compares to it.
“There’s a group of us that go out and we are very proud to represent all of the people in Wales. It’s always the same.
“I’m just very grateful to get the opportunity, and I love every chance I get to put the jersey on. Every time you put the Welsh jersey on it is a proud moment, and today was exactly the same. I’m grateful to get the opportunity.”
