Davies to miss beginning of PRO14

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has revealed that star centre Jonathan Davies will be rested for the first two weeks of the PRO14.

This follows closely on the news that fellow British and Irish Lion Ken Owens would be given an extended break due to the tour to New Zealand.

However, Davies will be given the 'biggest break', according to Pivac, as he featured much more in the six-week tour, playing in all three Tests.

In fact, Davies was such a key figure that he won the Lions' player of the series and will thus be a big miss for Scarlets in their opening two fixtures against Southern Kings and Zebre.

Pivac says Davies will not be considered until they host Edinburgh on 23 September.

"Jonathan had the biggest workload of everyone and will have the biggest break and at the moment you won't see him before week three," Pivac told BBC.

"Everyone is keen to get involved pretty early with the opening match against the Kings, but we have to be sensible."

Meanwhile, Pivac believes Davies has rightly and deservedly established himself as one of the world's best in his position after a terrific 2016/2017 in which he helped Scarlets claim the PRO14 crown and the Lions a 1-1 series draw with the All Blacks.     

"It was like he changed jerseys, but kept playing the same way," said Pivac.

"He produced dominant performances for us and took that on the Lions and was clearly the man of the series.

"He is right up there with the best in the world and we hope he comes back with that sort of form for the Scarlets.

"We hope he starts the season in the way he finished."