ITOJE’S BIGGAR TARGET

Maro aims to slam Dan

MARO ITOJE has warned wounded Welsh ace Dan Biggar there will be no mercy if he plays on Saturday.

Wales playmaker Biggar suffered a knee injury that forced him off playing for Northampton last weekend.

Dragons officials are hopeful he will be fit to take the No.10 shirt despite not being able to train fully this week.

But Itoje has made it clear the fly-half will be ruthlessly targeted if he is fit for the Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

“Dan is a very good player and a big player for Wales. Every No.10 is an influential player in their respective team so we know that we are going to have to go after him and try to stop him playing his best game,” said Itoje.

“If he’s passed the necessary test to play you assume that he is good to go.”

Biggar was Wales’ hero at Twickenham five years ago when his immaculate goalkicking helped knock England out of the World Cup.

But after an aggressive defensive performance against Ireland a fortnight ago which knocked Andy Farrell’s side out of their stride, England are planning more of the same for Wales.

And Itoje, who has made 50 tackles in the tournament so far – eight of which have forced turnovers – will be the man to lead it.

George North has been passed fit following his sixth concussion, suffered 11 minutes into Wales’ loss to France last time out.

This will be the 14th time he has faced England but it is missing out on a World Cup final date with the old enemy in Japan last year that has him fired-up now.

North has drawn on the wounding memory of Yokohama four months ago, where a 76th-minute penalty by eventual winners South Africa ended his World Cup dream at the semi-final stage.

“We missed out on one step,” said North. “And it will forever kick me in the shin every time I think about it.

“We put heart and soul into it, gave everything physically and emotionally. It takes a while to get over that. Actually,

I don’t think you ever really do.

“You always carry that hurt as fuel. It’s what gets you up in the morning...to put things right.”

■ George North is a Land Rover ambassador.

Land Rover has been helping rugby fans discover the sport for over 20 years. Visit: Landrover.co.uk