Biggar puts pain of defeat behind him to focus on Scots
A SIX Nations defeat to England always leads to a bitter fallout in Wales but as attentions turn to the trip to Scotland, Dan Biggar is staying cool amid the hysteria.
Biggar brushed off a blow to the ribs to take on Eddie Jones’ side and produced an impressive individual display in a narrow 21-16 loss.
It was a result which again led to criticism of Wales being unable to close out important games.
But Ospreys fly-half Biggar was looking only forward with the visit to Murrayfield his sole focus.
He said: “I feel my form’s been pretty good. Four or five years ago, I’d probably have been down and worried what people say.
“But as you get older there’s a small circle whose opinions really matter. As long as you are listening to your coaches, family and friends, that’s the important thing.
“I wouldn’t say it’s backs against the wall, but when you are under a little bit of pressure, I feel I respond better in those situations.”
Biggar led Wales with aplomb against England, his faultless defensive display summed up by a late sprint down field following an interception of a Ben Youngs pass. He also prompted his team’s attack impressively, Wales looking more comfortable with the ball than they have done for 18 months or more.
The thriller at the Principality Stadium was a superb advert for Six Nations rugby and while his team lost, Biggar insists Wales can still win the title. For that to happen, Rob Howley’s men will need to win in Edinburgh and back that up that with victories over Ireland and France.
England will also have to lose one of their remaining fixtures, but Biggar isn’t ruling out a defeat for their unbeaten side, potentially in Dublin on the last weekend.
“The quality of the Six Nations has been excellent so far – the whole tournament has gone up a level,” he said. “For us to make sure we are in with a shout we have to keep improving as well. We’re certainly confident of getting that title back. We’re relying on other results but the main thing is Murrayfield. If we don’t beat Scotland, then we haven’t got a chance.
“It’s turned into a huge game and not just from our point of view. Scotland know that if they lose, they’re out of the race, too.
“It’s a must-win for both teams but sometimes when our backs are against the wall we perform better.”
Wales haven’t lost to the Scots since 2007. With Vern Cotter’s men hit by injuries to captain Greig Laidlaw and No.8 Josh Strauss, it points to another away victory. But Biggar is wary of the men in blue, who downed Ireland in impressive fashion on home turf on the opening weekend.
He said: “Scotland are playing very well. They were probably a bit overpowered up front against France. The scrum was obviously a big factor, but their back three and backs are playing with confidence.
“Look at someone like Stuart Hogg, he’s got counter-attack ability of the highest quality. We know they’re going to be hugely difficult. We need to make sure we front up, do our homework and make sure we take the game to them. If we don’t front up, it’s going to be a tough afternoon.”