Primed to perform

WITH MAVERICK TENDENCIES A THING OF HIS PAST, DAN BIGGAR IS FINALLY READY TO EMERGE FROM THE SHADOW OF LOFTY EXPECTATIONS IN THE LIONS NO 10 JERSEY

Dan Biggar has been a polarising figure in rugby since making his Test debut at the age of 19, with some pundits tipping him to emerge as the modern-day equivalent to Wales legends Jonathan Davies and Barry John.

Forced to shoulder great expectations from a young age, Biggar’s obvious talent often warranted the publicity – he became the youngest player to make 100 appearances for the Ospreys – but what he seemed to lack was temperament.

This gave rise to a prevailing sense that, in spite of his skill, Biggar could not consistently perform at a level that matched his potential. He was, however, consistently overlooked in favour of his Six Nations contemporaries in conversations around Europe’s top flyhalves.

But over the past few seasons there has been a coming of age for the Welsh pivot. His detractors have gradually been drowned out by growing support after each performance. A reinvented Dan Biggar now stands poised to make a run at starting for the Lions in the most tightly contested of positions.

The 31-year-old has hit his prime and is finally close to escaping the shadow of lofty expectations. He has retained all the effervescence of his youth but now complements it with the experience to manage the game.

Many expect to see the very best of Biggar when he runs out for the Lions in South Africa – his bravery, tenacity and physicality tempered by a collectedness to his play.

Of all the elements of his game which have improved of late it is his game management and kicking that stand out. Since making the move to Northampton Saints his ability to control the flow of the game has progressed. Where once he was a maverick with an insatiable desire to attack the premier attacking flyhalves, a man who always appears to be two steps ahead of everyone else.

He is no slouch in defence either. The 10 position is a crucial defensive one for any team, but particularly so when facing South Africa.

Biggar’s robustness in the 10 channel will give the Lions security in the knowledge that the Springboks will not be making easy metres there. Denying the Boks a platform to launch from in the midfield is vital to stopping their attack.

Many expect to see the very best of Biggar when he runs out for the Lions in South Africa – his bravery, tenacity and physicality tempered by a collectedness to his play FAST FACT

During the 2017 tour of New Zealand, Biggar marshalled the Lions’ midweek team to victory over the Chiefs and a draw with the Hurricanes, while coming off the bench in the win against the Maori All Blacks

line, Biggar is now a more balanced player. A refined, all-round kicking game gives him the ability to control proceedings, making him a valuable asset in the fight for field position.

Biggar offers the tourists the complete skill set. On attack, a remarkable ability to orchestrate the backline – the hallmark of all great flyhalves – and an almost instinctual ability to find space, identifying even the slightest weakness in a defensive line and directing the attack to exploit it.

His clarity of vision and speed of decisionmaking is what stands him out as one of Europe’s

Above: Biggar kicked 12 points in the Lions’ 34-6 win against the Chiefs in 2017 Below: Outjumping France’s Brice Dulin in Paris during this year’s Six Nations