NO BIGGAR ADMIRER OF SEXTON THAN DAN

DAN BIGGAR reckons it is like looking in the mirror whenever he comes up against old rival Johnny Sexton.

Biggar will lock horns with fellow fly-half Sexton when Wales and Ireland kick-off the Guinness Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday.

It will be the latest in a long line of showdowns the

former British & Irish Lions colleagues (together, above) have found themselves in down the years.

The duo have won 196 caps between them and amassed almost 1,500 points combined in what have been long and successful careers at the top. But despite them both being well into their 30s, there is no sign of either of them slowing down.

Biggar, who will captain Wales in the absence of Alun Wyn Jones, believes Sexton, 36, is one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced.

He sees a lot of qualities in the Leinster legend that he also sees in himself and says Sexton has been around that

long no one can remember how old he even is. “Whenever I get asked who has been the most difficult person to play against of the last 10-12 years, there is no doubt Johnny’s name would be very near the top,” said Biggar, 32.

“He is very similar to myself in terms of the drive, the will to win, scrapping for absolutely everything on the field.

“It’s a testament to him in how he has managed to handle himself and keep his form going into his mid-30s. I don’t think anyone is sure how old he really is!

“He is going really strong, and I’ve got a huge amount of time for Johnny. There are very few people more deserving of 100 caps in international rugby than Johnny.”

Biggar will have huge boots to fill when it comes to replacing Wyn Jones as skipper as Wales begin the defence of their title in front of what promises to be an intimidating Aviva Stadium crowd.

But Biggar is focused on just being himself and is determined not to let the challenge become a burden, despite knowing Wales have won on just one of their last seven visits to Dublin.

He said: “A lot of the very good captains I have played under know when to speak and when not to, so it doesn’t just become white noise when they do speak.”