OPINION: Can Dan Biggar really save Northampton Saints?
Earlier this week it was announced that Dan Biggar would be leaving Ospreys at the end of the season to complete his long-rumoured move to Northampton Saints.
Biggar will be moving to Franklin’s Gardens at the conclusion of his current deal, meaning he’ll no longer be directly contracted by the WRU.
Northampton fans will be grateful for a bit of good news after their horrendous display against Saracens at the weekend, and the signing of a proven international and Lions tourist should go some way towards improving the mood in the Midlands. But is Dan Biggar the saviour the Saints need right now? Let’s take a look:
What does Biggar offer?
In short, Saints are getting a player who has demonstrated he’s capable of success. Two Pro12 winners medals are hanging in his downstairs loo (probably, where else would you keep them?), meaning Biggar is well versed on what it takes to bring home silverware. He has been Wales first-choice fly-half for much of the past four years and has success at the highest level, winning the Six Nations in 2013.
Though he’s at times given the kicking duties over to Leigh Halfpenny, he’s still scored 295 points over his 56 caps for the national side, and with an impressive 2,000+ points for Ospreys over 200+ appearances for his region, the Saints are getting a proven goal scorer with a wealth of experience in high profile matches.
Biggar’s metronomic boot is probably his strongest asset (besides his sweet, sweet dance moves) , so the ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over is right at the top of his CV.
That’s not to say he doesn’t offer anything with the ball in hand, but he plays deeper and more defensively than the mercurial fly-half wizards like your Danny Ciprianis and Carlos Spencers. Biggar is a solid playmaker who reads the game very well and kicks excellently out of hand, but during his time in a Wales jersey the side were often criticised for relying too much on the crash ball rather than a spark of midfield magic.
Whilst he’s no Jonny Wilkinson, Biggar’s defence is also solid for a fly-half. His positioning and technique are good and he’s strong under the high ball both on the kick chase and receiving, so he’s unlikely to add any extra vulnerabilities to Northampton’s already leaky back line.
Perhaps one of the most crucial benefits Biggar brings to the Saints is his age. At only 27 but with a wealth of experience behind him, Biggar is just hitting the peak of his career and, despite the fact that the length of his new deal has not been disclosed, Northampton can build a team around him for the foreseeable future.
What do Saints need?
Biggar’s benefits are numerous, but unfortunately right now so are Northampton’s deficits. They started last season with a horrendously dull attacking strategy and despite the fact it livened up in the second half of the campaign, this weekend’s season opener again demonstrated an inability to create anything of note going forward.
Partly this must have been due to injuries to regular fly half Stephen Myler and new signing Piers Francis forcing a more conservative strategy, but Myler has for years been regarded as a steady hand rather than particularly dynamic. He’s been a solid servant to the club and an excellent Premiership player but his lack of attacking prowess is probably the main reason he’s never really broken through into the England squad. Dan Biggar likely offers more of the same.
If Northampton can settle on a back line though, this may not be the end of the world. Given his star status, Biggar is almost guaranteed the 10 jersey regardless of form (something I’ve griped about before ).
This means that new boy Piers Francis will have to settle for a bench role or else move to 12. To do that he’ll have to usurp Harry Mallinder, who’s been a rare bright spark for the Saints over the last couple of years.
Biggar can be the axis that allows a more creative 12 to get the back line flowing, or alternatively he can allow Cobus Reinach to dictate the play from scrum half.
Regardless, with the likes of Luther Burrell, Nafi Tuitavake, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Stephenson and Rob Horne all vying for positions in the midfield Northampton don’t really seem to need another addition to the back line as badly as they do elsewhere.
The main worry for Saints right now has been the departure of Louis Picamoles. The Frenchman had such a phenomenal year in Black, Green & Gold last season that he’s returned to Montpellier, and despite the Saints getting a handsome cheque in return they’ve yet to announce his replacement.
Sam Dickinson was deemed surplus to requirements at the end of last year, but has been brought back in on a short term deal to fill the void at 8. When the supposed new year arrival is announced (names like Brad Shields and Heinrich Brüssow have been bandied about), Saints fans may breathe a little easier but for now, the money spent on bringing in Biggar looks like it could have been put to better use elsewhere.
Conclusion:
In Dan Biggar, Saints have signed a world class talent who has all the ability to become one of the stand-out players in the Premiership and lead the club to great success. The only concern will be whether he’s the right man for the job. Bringing in Biggar will involve some drastic changes in personnel and playing style, but if this is done well, this may be the shrewdest signing Saints have ever made. Right now though, Saints have some work to do to make sure there is a solid foundation waiting for him when he arrives.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
46 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments