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Wales skipper Dan Biggar a late withdrawal for Northampton

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Wales skipper Dan Biggar was a late withdrawal from the Northampton team on Saturday for their round two Gallagher Premiership game at home to London Irish. Having led his country on their July tour to South Africa, the out-half was named on Friday in the Saints XV for their home match versus the Exiles after he had missed last Sunday’s opening round defeat at Sale.

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Northampton had been looking forward to getting Biggar back in harness, their original team media release reading: “Saints will be led out by Dan Biggar for the first time this Saturday, as the Wales fly-half captains the side when London Irish head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the Gallagher Premiership clash.

“Captain Biggar lines up alongside Alex Mitchell in the half-back berths for the clash with the Exiles, while Scotland international Rory Hutchinson returns to the side to partner Matt Proctor in the midfield.”

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Biggar was named Saints captain as Lewis Ludlam is still undergoing his rest period following his summer tour of Australia with England.

However, the prospect of Biggar skippering his club at home under new director of rugby Phil Dowson was scuppered shortly before kick-off on Saturday when his place in the team was given to James Grayson, with George Furbank taking over the captaincy.

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“Dan Biggar (illness) has been ruled out of Northampton Saints’ Gallagher Premiership clash with London Irish this afternoon,” read a media release shortly before the scheduled 2pm start. “The fly-half is replaced for the men in black, green and gold by James Grayson, who will wear No10. Full-back George Furbank will take over the captaincy of the side.”

The soon-to-be 33-year-old Biggar started all the matches on the Wales tour of South Africa, a series that finished 2-1 in favour of the Springboks after they won the deciding third Test in Cape Town on July 16.

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Trevor 2 hours 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 6 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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