Davies boost for Wales’ World Cup semi-final

Wales say they expect Jonathan Davies to be passed fit to play in Sunday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa following a knee injury. The Scarlets centre was seen on the training pitch in Tokyo on Wednesday as the reigning Six Nations champions stepped up their preparations for this weekend’s encounter in Yokohama. The 31-year-old missed last Sunday’s 20-19 win over France due to the recurrence of a knee injury, pulling out of the starting line-up shortly before kick-off in Oita. Owen Watkin stepped in at outside centre in Davies’ absence as the Welsh struggled to victory over Les Bleus. Davies is now expected to reclaim his place in Warren Gatland’s team after he trained fully on Wednesday, albeit wearing heavy strapping on the knee he injured in the pool-stage win over Fiji Skills coach Neil Jenkins says both Davies and fellow centre Hadleigh Parkes are expected to shake off any fitness concerns in time to face the Springboks, with Parkes having picked up a shoulder knock against France. “As the week progresses, they will go through what they need to go through, they will train with us as normal, and I would like to think they will take a full part in training this week, and obviously make themselves available for selection on Sunday,” said Jenkins. “These games don’t come around very often. I think sometimes, even if your leg is hanging off, you need to strap it yourself to get yourself right. I am sure they will do that this week.”