Scrum-half Knoyle, flanker McCusker and Ken Owens were the surprise selections by Wales boss Warren Gatland for the Tests against New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

But Scarlets boss Davies maintains his young guns will cope with been thrown in at the deep end.

He said: “I reckon they are going to surprise quite a few people and they will get game time in those Tests.

“There’s little doubt in my mind that they are ready for it. They are full of confidence and won’t take a backwards step.

“It will be a big eye-opener for them seeing what you need to compete at the highest level but I don’t think Warren would have selected them if he was not prepared to give them a shot.

“I coached Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel as teenagers and I can say Travis has the potential to be as good if not better than those guys.

“Technically he is very strong and he is a big lad but the main thing is his enthusiasm for the game and that is something you cannot teach players.

“Ken Owens has benefitted from competing against Matthew Rees in training and isn’t intimidated by anyone.

“I am really pleased for Rob McCusker and I think of the three he is the one to watch for the future.

“A lot of people are not aware of how talented he is but he has gained a lot of experienced and maturity on several levels.

“Within the Scarlets he has become one of the leaders of the group and he is certainly not a guy lacking in confidence.”