Wales duo out of openers

Uncapped Ospreys youngster Pugh was called up when injury ruled out Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams from the RBS Six Nations opener against England.

"No-one should doubt Richie Pugh's class, he has all the attributes that you'd want in a flanker," Davies said.

"He's been very good in a very good Ospreys side; put him in with Test players and we might see better still."

As the only genuine open-side in the squad, Pugh is the front-runner to start against England and win his first cap.

However, Wales coach Mike Ruddock could opt to start with Dafydd Jones in the number seven shirt, although the Llanelli Scarlets player is more comfortable at blind-side or number eight.

Pugh is only 21, but Davies believes strongly that any player who is good enough is old enough.

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"England are talking about (18-year-old Newcastle centre) Mathew Tait coming in and there's a freshness and an excitement surrounding that possibility," Davies added.

Williams' loss was bad enough for Wales, but came in tandem with the news that fellow back-row Colin Charvis will also miss the England clash at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"Certainly in Charvis' case his form of late has been superb so as a player it's a big blow, but he's a senior player in the set-up as well and that's been lost," Davies said.

Cardiff Blues back-row Robin Sowden-Taylor, 22, has joined Pugh in the Wales squad as cover.