FORMER Pontypridd skipper Mefin Davies has been busy trying to prepare Worcester Warriors’ players for today’s visit from the Valley Commandos.

Davies, who made 38 appearances for Wales and helped them to the Grand Slam in 2005, will be pitting his wits against some familiar faces, including ex-international team-mate Rob Sidoli.

He insists he will not be giving his old club any favours as Warriors bid for a place in the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup.

Davies joined Warriors as a transition coach last summer after a playing career with Pontypridd, Gloucester, Leicester Tigers, Celtic Warriors and Ospreys.

The former hooker said: “Pontypridd is a great club and I enjoyed my time playing there.

“In my first year at the club we ended up winning a cup final. They are a club which is very passionate with great values and great players and staff.

“They have done well every year and they do well in the Welsh Premiership on a regular basis and this is the next stage for them.

“They have a strong identity and are very tight and if you speak to anybody involved in rugby circles in Wales everybody respects them.

“I think players who have played for or against Pontypridd at Sardis Road will definitely remember that experience.”

Davies, who hails from West Wales, lives in the Swansea valley and has been interviewed about today’s quarter-final clash by S4C, the Welsh-language television channel.

“I am commuting to work from my home to Worcester and it’s great to have an opportunity to have a new challenge at Sixways,” said Davies.

“A lot of people at Worcester have not experienced playing against Pontypridd and it will be a great occasion.

“People at the club have obviously asked me about Pontypridd and I have tried to help them understand what we are dealing with and I know the match will be full on.

“I have some fond memories of playing at Pontypridd, but now my time is at Worcester and my commitment is with Worcester.”