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'It doesn't bother me' - Dan Biggar on not being JJ Williams' favourite Wales out-half

By Online Editors
Dan Biggar takes part in a Wales gym session in Switzerland in July (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Welsh rugby goldfish bowl is like water off a duck’s back to Dan Biggar as he prepares for an impending World Cup challenge in Japan.

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The Northampton fly-half has had his critics during a 73-cap Test career – most recently, former Wales wing JJ Williams claiming that Wales would not win a World Cup with Biggar at No10. But it says everything about his durability and match-controlling longevity that Biggar has arrived in Asia as an integral part of Wales’ global supremacy bid.

After playing key roles off the bench for much of last season, working in tandem with Gareth Anscombe, Biggar now steps forward to reclaim Wales’ No 10 shirt while Anscombe continues his recovery from a World Cup-ending knee injury.

Biggar’s worth to Wales head coach Warren Gatland cannot be understated ahead of the tournament. “Comments are comments,” Biggar said. “I have had it my whole career. It really doesn’t bother me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I actually quite enjoy those things as it gives me motivation.

“I meant it to be a bit tongue-in-cheek at the end (Biggar thanked Williams for his comments after Wales beat England last month). It was not so much the comments about me, but we had won 14 on the bounce prior to that England game.

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“It was our first game of a new season with lots of boys playing at Twickenham, which is not the easiest place to play anyway. It’s less about me – I couldn’t care less what he said about me – it was more the negative comment about the team after one difficult afternoon.”

Asked about big occasions and criticism firing him, Biggar added: “I’m competitive. I don’t mind that side of it – it’s part and parcel of the job. If you are not comfortable with that, and in the position I play in this country, then you’re probably in the wrong job! I don’t tend to put any pressure on myself, really.

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“Certainly in the last few years since I’ve had a little boy and with my family, they are the most important thing to me, anyway. That’s been a big thing for me over the last 12-18 months, but I quite like having it [criticism] and performing on the big stage. Hopefully, I can keep delivering if called upon.”

Biggar proved an instant hit in his first season at Franklin’s Gardens, helping Saints reach the Gallagher Premiership play-offs last term. “I’m not going to tell anyone else what to do because they have to do their own thing but for me, it [the Northampton move] has been the best thing I’ve done,” he said.

“I had 10 fabulous years at the Ospreys and loved every minute of it, but for me getting outside of the goldfish bowl… with all due respect, you guys aren’t bothered if we play Newcastle or Sale away on a Friday night.

“Even though Northampton is a rugby-mad town, it’s quite nice to be outside the bubble there instead of Wales, where rugby is all year round.”

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Gatland handed Biggar a Wales debut during his first year at the helm in 2008 – and the Saints No10 has no doubt about the New Zealander’s impact. “What Warren has done since he has been here is instil a belief, more than anything,” Biggar added.

“When we go into games against England or Australia, South Africa, we are always going with the mindset that we are going to win, whereas before it was more in hope rather than expectation.

“We are fully aware we are up against some big teams – just in our pool, let alone the latter stages of the tournament – and it’s about making sure the belief is right. If we can get out of the pool first, the other seven teams in the quarter-finals will not want to play us.”

– Press Association 

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Trevor 26 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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