Six Nations 2022: From polite schoolboy to becoming the Biggar man

Sean Holley was an Ospreys coach when Biggar made his regional debut in March 2008 as an 18-year-old. Biggar helped Ospreys win two league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup before joining Northampton in 2018.

“My first distinct memory is him coming to the Liberty Stadium before a game. Mike Cuddy, Lyn Jones and myself were in the coaching room, positioned down in the depths of the building.

“It was hours before a game. Daniel, I call him Daniel, was young and wasn’t involved. He knocked the door and came in.

“He said, ‘Mr Cuddy, Mr Jones, Mr Holley, you have probably heard I have been approached by some London colleges for a scholarship with some big clubs in London but I wanted you to hear it from me direct, I am not going anywhere. I am going to be the next Ospreys 10 and play for Wales, thank you very much’. And out he went.

“He can’t have been more than 16, 17. It’s not often you get a room with Mike, Lyn and myself and we couldn’t say a word in reply.

“You quickly became aware of the guy because he didn’t fear anyone. He bossed it, knew what he wanted, he was diligent, did his homework, and that shone through.

“He will bark at his fellow players. I have seen Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jerry Collins and others chasing him round the training field for trying to put them straight.

“Dan had tough times at the start of his career and a lot of people questioned whether he was good enough.

“He has shown resilience to come through adversity and be a consummate professional who proved a lot of people wrong. He is so consistent on the field, an absolute warrior.

“The Ospreys players and staff never doubted him. James Hook was playing a lot at 10 when Dan came through but we then played Dan at 10 and James at 12.

“It worked and we played our best rugby of that time with that combination.

“The fly-half leadership role should help Dan stepping up to captaincy. I don’t think it will hinder him, he has too strong a mental capacity for that.

“He acts like a captain every time he goes on the field so it’s a good decision by Wayne [Pivac].

“If Dan needs advice he can look to the backroom staff, which is dominated by former Wales captains like Stephen Jones, Jonathan Humphreys, Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams, while Dan is very close with Neil Jenkins.

“He deserves the accolade. You will never be able to take that away from him.