Although he did not have the strong physique for the contact sport, his talent and flair for the game was recognised by many, including local great Carwyn James.
[citation needed] He attended Gwendraeth Grammar School, where he met his first wife Karen Hopkins, whom he married ten years later.
In 1988 Davies played a part in the Triple Crown success for Wales and between 1985 and 1997 he won 37 rugby union caps.
[9] As Llanelli placed pressure on him from the WRU to commit himself wholeheartedly to them, and despite being widely touted as the first choice fly-half for the upcoming British Lions tour to Australia, he decided for the best interests of his family to move to the rugby league team Widnes, who signed him for a record fee of £230,000.
During the 1990–91 season Davies played left-centre and scored 4 conversions in Widnes' 24–18 victory over Salford in the 1990 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 September 1990.
Needing a win to force a 5th place playoff with Western Suburbs, Canterbury-Bankstown got off to a slow start and Cronulla took a 16–0 half time lead.
Davies played stand-off, and scored a try, 3 conversions, and a drop goal in Widnes 24–0 victory over Leeds in the 1991–92 Regal Trophy Final during the 1991–92 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 January 1992.
Although he left the field with a dislocated shoulder during the second half, his efforts in both attack and defence (which on the day saw him pull off two try saving tackles) saw him named as man of the match.
[12] However the shoulder injury would keep him out of the rest of The Ashes series (eventually won 2-1 by Australia) as well as prevent him from playing for Wales in a friendly against the Kangaroos in Cardiff.
In need of family support, and as rugby union had turned professional, Davies went back to South Wales and signed to play for Cardiff RFC.
"[15] Since retiring from rugby, Davies has worked in the media as a commentator and pundit in both codes, mainly for the BBC in both the English and Welsh languages.
[18] Davies was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1995 New Year Honours for services to rugby league football.