London Welsh scrum half Alex Davies says he thrives on pressure as he prepares to face Northampton at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow (3).

Davies’s place-kicking ability was one of the chief reasons he was recalled to the Exiles side for their last match at Bath.

And having been handed the No 9 shirt again, he knows his form off the tee could be make or break for Welsh’s hopes.

“I like it,” said Davies. “The more pressure, the better to be honest.

“It doesn’t really faze me too much.

“I like these occasions, every kicker should.”

As for his teammates, Davies added: “I don’t think there are many nerves. Everyone is really excited about it.”

Davies played a key role when Welsh won the Championship last year and hopes they can use that experience to their advantage now.

“It is different kind of pressure,” said Davies.

“There is a lot more people viewing and it is a much bigger stage in the Premiership, although that is not to take anything away from the Championship.

“For us, these last three games are must win and it was exactly the same as that last year with the semi-finals and final.

“We peaked at the right time last year and we need to do that now.

“Training has been really good and the boys are really pumped for it.”

Davies, 26, struggled for first-team opportunities after being injured in pre-season, but has had much more chance to impress in 2013.

Although equally comfortable at full back and fly half, Davies’s appearance at No 9 have shown him one of Welsh’s strengths at first hand.

“Our forwards have competed with every pack in this league,” he said.

“We have taken teams like Gloucester and Saracens right to the wire.

“Northampton have a few big names, but we have a big, strong pack ourselves.

“We will certainly give them a battle.”

Despite the near win or bust nature of tomorrow’s match, Davies stressed: “We prepare for every game the same.

“There’s always things we need to work on. We will need to make the right decisions under pressure.”