How Saints have made Biggar better
BEFORE Wales flew out to Japan earlier this year, there was debate on Welsh soil about whether Dan Biggar was the man to lead Wales to a World Cup triumph.
Some of it was genuine analysis, other parts of it were that decades-old Welsh tradition of just wanting to moan about who currently had possession of the coveted 10 jersey.
Those with an appetite for rugby in Northampton couldn’t get their head around this, at the time. There was no debate.
Biggar was the man. End of conversation.
His form since returning to Franklin’s Gardens post-tournament has shown exactly why the former Ospreys playmaker is so coveted in the East Midlands.
He is earning rave reviews for eyecatching displays, adventurous and creative fly-half performances which Welsh fans haven’t necessarily always seen from Biggar in the red jersey of Wales.
But just how are Northampton boss Chris Boyd and others at the English club getting the best out of the 30-yearold and what could it mean for Wayne Pivac and Wales?
‘HE’S NO STEADY EDDIE’
Anyone who has watched Northampton’s early form this season will have been struck by their attacking game.
There are many driving forces behind this.
The rapid up-skilling of their forwards to act as dynamic ballplayers, the versatile homegrown talents of Rory Hutchinson, Tom Collins or George Furbank and the dangerous weapons out wide like Taqele Naiyaravoro are all facets of why they top the Premiership.
While he’s yet to appear in the Premiership since returning from the World Cup in Japan, the form of Biggar – should he carry it over from his impressive Champions Cup outings – will surely be another driving force Northampton are to stay at the top of the table.
Virtually thrown straight into the action, Biggar has played some fantastic rugby in a backline that is dazzling. His performance against Benetton drew the most plaudits – with his stunning pass to set up Collins’ try talked up by Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll.
With added freedom in his role, he’s looked every inch a world-class triple threat fly-half – threatening defences with his running, passing and kicking game.
Biggar’s detractors in Wales may be somewhat surprised by that, but those who watch him regularly in Northampton clearly rate the 2017 Lions tourist.
Northampton Chronicle rugby writer Tom Vickers sums it up like this.
“I’ve seen a lot of fly-halves for different teams, people like George Ford and others who have played in the Premiership over the years.
“Owen Farrell is exceptional. I think Biggar seems to be up there with Farrell as someone who can pretty much do everything in terms of defence and everything that you want a fly-half to do, he seems to be able to do it.
“Northampton used to have a fly-half called Stephen Myler.
“He was seen as something of a ‘steady Eddie’, which was always a bit unfair on him. Biggar was maybe seen a little in the same light.
“But the way that they play, I don’t think you could get by with a fly-half who wasn’t comfortable playing. “They have to be able to play that way to be in the team as the team wants to move the ball quick. Biggar is starting to really orchestrate things in that regard.
“His pass against Benetton was one of the best I’ve seen on a pitch in terms of how ridiculously easy he made it look. The culture now is that players aren’t worried about making mistakes.”
Boyd’s influence on Biggar is clear to see. The Wales fly-half recently described him as “by far the best coach I have worked with”.
The former Hurricanes coach has gone from one of rugby’s most freakish talents – Beauden Barrett – to one of its most determined.
‘A FIERCE COMPETITOR’ Speaking about Biggar’s place in the Wales team recently, Boyd was interested to see how the new man in charge would make use of his fly-half. “He’s been a key part of the Welsh team for a period of time,” Boyd said.
“He’s a great competitor and he’s the best in the world at what he does well.
“If you want to have a battle, you’d want Dan on your side as he’s not going to lay down. He’s a fierce competitor.
“It will be interesting to see how Wales want to play the game. The 10 is often a big influence in that.
“His kicking game is outstanding and his defence is superb. If you’re looking to close a game out, he’s perfect. But the thing that is underestimated about Dan is his passing game. That’s developing well.
“He’s never going to be the guy who plays hard at the line and has great feet – he’s just not that player. He adds a lot to us and he can add a lot to any environment.”
Under Warren Gatland, Wales were often criticised of not producing enough in attack. Often, the blame was laid at the door of Biggar.
Yet the reality is that Gatland chose to play the style of rugby he did because of his own coaching philosophies, the options around Biggar and the fly-half’s strengths, rather than his weaknesses.
Pivac’s style of play will likely be different, but that doesn’t automatically mean he’ll need a different 10 running the show.
“It’s interesting because, at the end of the day, you’ve sometimes got to play slightly differently to your own personal belief because you have players who can offer you different strengths,” adds Boyd. “Dan can adapt though. He’s taught me some tricks and I’d certainly back him.” As Boyd points out, Biggar can adapt and, more importantly, he’s a fierce competitor.
Quite simply, despite the challenges of Jarrod Evans, Rhys Patchell and Gareth Anscombe, when fit, Biggar will have no intentions of giving up the Wales jersey soon.
If Pivac looks to play a more attacking game, Biggar will likely follow suit.
Those in Northampton know only too well what can happen if he does.