BIGGAR: MY RACE TO GET FIT FOR IRELAND
WALES fly-half Dan Biggar is so desperate to make his mark on the Six Nations he spent 90 minutes every day sitting in an oxygen chamber to prove his fitness for Dublin this weekend.
Biggar was given the nod ahead of the unlucky Rhys Patchell and Gareth Anscombe for the big showdown with Ireland after recovering from a shoulder problem.
His return to fitness has come sooner than anticipated – and Biggar has revealed why.
“I did 10 days on the bounce in the oxygen chamber, sitting there with a mask on for an hour and a half each time,” he said.
The oxygen chamber is a state of the art facility used by modern day sportsmen to speed up the healing process.
“Not much goes on. It was pretty boring, but it was for the greater cause,” continued Biggar.
“I don’t think I could have done anything more to make sure I was ready.”
He said of having to sit out the opening two games with Scotland and England: “I’m a terrible spectator anyway, but when you are not out there where you can make a difference, it’s frustrating, it’s difficult.”
Looking ahead to the Irish challenge, he said: “We have a very good record in Dublin. We won the World Cup warm-up out there, got a draw last time and won a couple of years before that. We also won against Ireland at home last year.
“We know it’s almost like a cup final for us. If we lose it’s going to be very difficult to finish on top in the tournament — but if we win, we’ve got two home games to come against Italy and France and have set ourselves up incredibly well. That’s the biggest carrot for us.”
DAN Biggar has revealed he spent an hour and a half each day sitting in an oxygen chamber in a determined race against time to be fit for Dublin.
And it was worth every monotonous minute.
The Ospreys fly-half is back in the Wales starting line-up ahead of schedule after making a full recovery from the shoulder injury he suffered in the European Champions Cup defeat to Clermont Auvergne on January 20.
For long periods, the rehab proved a test of Biggar’s powers of patience as much as anything physical, although he was helped along the way by the hit US television series Suits, the legal drama which launched the acting career of royal-to-be Meghan Markle.
“It’s been a tough five weeks of rehab and working with the conditioners, it’s been nice to be back into rugby training,” said Biggar, as he spoke to the media at Wales’ base at the Vale Resort this week.
“I don’t think I could have done anything more to make sure I was ready.
“I did 10 days on the bounce in the oxygen chamber, before getting in the gym and then running.
“You are basically sitting there with a mask on for an hour and a half each time, not much goes on.
“My iPad was fully stacked with things to watch. I finished season seven of Suits, I have just had a little baby so I don’t get much chance to watch any box sets or tv any more. I got some peace and quiet in there.
“It was pretty boring, but it was for the greater cause. Even if it gave me one or half a percent better chance of recovery, it was worth it.”
After fly-half rival Rhys Patchell delivered an impressive Six Nations debut performance in the win over Scotland, it looked likely that Biggar would have to play the waiting game during this Championship.
But following an indifferent display by the Scarlet at Twickenham, Wales’ 60-cap pivot has got Gatland’s nod for Saturday’s must-win clash with Ireland, with the New Zealander citing his experience of the big occasion as a major factor in his recall.
So has it been a tough few weeks watching from the sidelines?
“It’s incredibly frustrating,” admitted the 28-year-old.
“I’m a terrible spectator anyway, but when you are not out there where you can make a difference, it’s frustrating, it’s difficult.
“Probably a few years ago I would have worried about whether I would get the jersey back, but I have matured, I’ve gained more experience.
“It is out of your hands anyway, the coaches pick the team. Rhys played well against Scotland and deserved all the praise he had. For me, it almost drives you on, to make sure you do all the things you need to do.”
Which brings us to Saturday’s showdown at the Aviva Stadium and another duel with Johnny Sexton, a player Biggar has come up against many times at both regional and international level.
Of course, the Leinster star is also a player who kept Biggar away from the coveted British and Irish Lions Test jersey in New Zealand last summer, adding a bit of extra spice to one of the game’s key individual battles.
“First and foremost, he’s an absolutely fantastic player,” said Biggar, when the inevitable questioning turned to Sexton and the Irishman’s qualities.
“You see how important he is for Ireland and Leinster. He is a vital cog.
“I like Johnny a lot. He has that streak in him, which is nice to see, where he knows exactly what he