Now we must beat Scots, says Biggar

CAPTAIN Dan Biggar insists Wales must beat Scotland next week to prevent their Six Nations title defence evaporating before it has barely begun.

Wayne Pivac’s side were dominated in Dublin yesterday, losing 29-7 to Ireland in a one-sided start to the Championship.

Only a late Taine Basham try prevented the reigning champions from drawing a blank for the first time in the Six Nations and afterwards Biggar said only victory against Scotland in Cardiff can keep alive their hopes of another unlikely title win.

‘It’s been a disappointing afternoon and we haven’t got long to get it right,’ said the fly-half.

‘It’s a must-win next week if we have any hope of keeping hold of our title… we can’t wait to get back to Cardiff.’

Ireland led 29-0 after an hour thanks to tries from Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and a double from Adam Conway. Pivac’s Wales were undone at the start of both halves and spent most of the afternoon on the back foot.

‘No one’s happy with defeat, we came here wanting to win so they’re all very disappointed,’ Pivac said.

‘We talked about what we needed to do in that game from the outset and that was to match them physically and our discipline needed to be spot on. We didn’t achieve that.’

Wales arrived in Dublin with a lengthy injury list — Pivac was unable to call on eight British Lions including Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and George North.

Biggar admitted ‘obviously missing the big players is an issue’ but Pivac vowed not to dwell on those names not on the teamsheet.

‘We can’t go back in time in terms of the players missing, we need to learn our lessons from today and this is the squad we’ve got.’

Ireland, meanwhile, laid down a marker to their title rivals with the dominant victory.

‘To get a bonus-point win against a side like Wales is no mean feat,’ said head coach Andy Farrell.

SIX NATIONS favourites France will be at full-strength on the pitch against Italy in Paris today, but they will have to open their campaign with head coach Fabien Galthie, who has tested positive for Covid. Raphael Ibanez will take charge, but insists Galthie will be hands-on, albeit from a hotel room at their Chantilly training camp. ‘Fabien will be in direct contact with me and the coaches,’ Ibanez said.