The British and Irish Lions set off on a six-week tour of New Zealand

Wales fly-half says making history matters much more than battle for places

Dan Biggar says the pursuit of history is far more important than a selection battle for places as the British and Irish Lions head to New Zealand.

The Wales fly-half is in a particularly competitive area, given the presence of fellow number 10s Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell among head coach Warren Gatland’s 41-man squad.

But Biggar highlighted the bigger picture: the Lions have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 1971.

“What I have found interesting (with Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell) is the amount you pick up off them, and that goes for other players as well,” Biggar said.

“We have chats after training and talk about tactics. The two have so much knowledge, and it is really interesting.

“Johnny and I have got on really well, and after playing so often against him, it is good to be on the same side. I am looking forward to challenging him and Owen, and being with them gives you a good perspective on 10 play.

“We are not holding anything back from each other. The greater aim is to win the Test series, so if any of us has any knowledge that can help the team win games from small detail, it is important we put it out there.

“We are all confident characters who are not afraid to speak our minds and say what we think. That will suit the team well.

“We are competing for the same position and we all want to play in that 10 shirt.

“But the most important thing is not the battle for places, but that we do everything on and off the field and back whoever is playing in all the games, because we have the chance to achieve something historic.”

In addition to the Tests, the Lions will also face five New Zealand Super Rugby sides and the Maori All Blacks following next Saturday’s tour opener against a Provincial Barbarians XV, which underlines how tough a trip lies ahead.

“The games against the Super teams will be hugely important as well. They seem to have a conveyor belt of talent. They lose (Dan) Carter, and they have (Beauden) Barrett and (Aaron) Cruden,” said Biggar.

The Lions left London yesterday after two week-long training camps in Wales and Ireland, and a six-week tour to world champion territory now awaits.

Picture: Getty. Dan Biggar is looking forward to the Lions achieving “something historic”.