Biggar’s walking on air...and aims to blow Sexton away!

DAN BIGGAR may have been thick as thieves with Johnny Sexton on the Lions tour, but the Welsh fly-half wants to steal his friend’s thunder on Saturday. Wales travel to Dublin with their playmaker back in the side, and Biggar is ready to breathe new life into their Natwest 6 Nations challenge, after spending 10 days in an oxygen chamber in order to speed up his recovery from a shoulder injury. Coach Warren Gatland told his Welsh team to fire into Sexton and scrum-half Conor Murray on Tuesday, and Biggar knows his battle with Ireland’s No 10 will be a clash of two red-hot competitors. ‘I like Johnny a lot,’ said Biggar (right). ‘He has that streak in him, which is nice to see, where he knows exactly what he wants. ‘He’s got a great work ethic too, and he’s very similar to myself in terms of personality — a real drive and will to win. ‘Johnny’s a fantastic player. You see how important he is for Ireland and Leinster. ‘He is a vital cog, along with Conor Murray, so we know we are up against two of the best in the business.’ Biggar was not expected to return for this match after injuring his shoulder for the Ospreys at the end of January. But a tedious recovery regime has him back a week early. He spent an hour-and-a-half a day for 10 days straight sitting in a special oxygen chamber. And he revealed a text message from Sexton spurred him on during his rehabilitation. The Welshman congratulated Ireland’s 32-year-old star after he had dropped an audacious goal to beat France in the opening round. ‘He said he’d had about a million texts after that game!’ added Biggar. ‘But he did say he appreciated it, and said he hoped I’d be back fit for Dublin. So that was an aim of mine, to get back for this game. ‘We’ll have a good catch-up on Saturday — after I’ve finished on the winning side!’ ÷ WARREN GATLAND has been presented with a framed Wales shirt to mark his 100th Test in charge. The jersey has a commemorative logo embroidered into the fabric.