Up until last season, Seb Davies had enjoyed something of a hokey-cokey Test career. One minute he was in, the next he was out.
But things had appeared to stabilise to a certain degree. Last term, with the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Christ Tshiunza, Josh Navidi and Dan Lydiate suffering injuries, Wayne Pivac leaned on him to come in and perform that hybrid lock/blindside role he so desperately wants to fill.
Davies featured in every autumn Test, getting a start against Australia, and only missed the Ireland game in the 2022 Six Nations, starting at six against France and Italy.
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But he was one of casualties from that dismal defeat to the Azzurri and was not selected for the summer tour of South Africa as Ben Carter was preferred as the fourth lock and Lydiate and Navidi returned from injury to take up back row spots.
A few days passed after the squad was announced and the Cardiff man hadn't received a call. So he picked up the phone himself and dialled Pivac's number.
"Yeah I gave him a ring and he said a little bit about discipline and stuff," Davies explained. "I don't agree with everything he said but I took on board what he said consistency-wise.
"I think, towards the back end of last year I probably don't agree with that but then throughout the season I probably do. It was just a 10/15-minute conversation, he explained and it was fine."
When asked if Pivac welcomed such phone calls, Davies added: "Yeah, I think so. He says in meetings that if you have any issues then just give him a ring.
"If I'm ever not selected and they haven't contacted me after a couple of days then I just give him a ring and it's all happy days really, I guess."
Operating at lock, Davies was one of the standout performers in Cardiff's opening weekend victory over Munster and believes he is benefitting from having a full pre-season under his belt. He also hopes to get some consistency in his position this season, targeting a run of games at lock.
"It was obviously disappointing not to go to South Africa and be away with the boys but sometimes coming back and only having a few weeks to prepare for the first few games can be disruptive," he explained. "But I managed to get the full pre-season under my belt, injury-free and I'm in a good condition at the moment."
On whether or not he wants to nail down one position, Davies said: "I'll probably be in at five for most of the season. Not looking too far ahead but I play in the back row a bit more for Wales. If they put me there then so be it.
"I think you definitely benefit more from staying in one position. I think moving around, your role changes in the lineout and where you're standing. That can get a little bit annoying. If you stay in one position, I think it's better."
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