Captain Biggar says Ireland opener key to Wales’ Six Nations hopes

Thursday, 27 January 2022 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dan Biggar

LONDON (AFP): Wales Captain Dan Biggar said on Wednesday he believes a testing tournament opener in Ireland will be central to his side's hopes of a successful defence of their Six Nations title.

Few pundits have backed an injury-hit Wales to finish top of the table this season despite the way in which they ended their November campaign with a thrilling 29-28 win over Australia.

Wales are set to be without a vastly experienced group of players – Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Leigh Halfpenny, Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi – for the entire tournament, while star winger George North and No. 8 Taulupe Faletau are believed to have a slim chance of featuring in the latter stages.

It all makes an opening match against Ireland, who beat New Zealand 29-20 in November, in Dublin, an even more daunting assignment than usual.

“It's a really tough start,” said fly-half Biggar, skipper in place of Jones, at the Six Nations' virtual media launch.

“Obviously, with the form Ireland showed in the autumn – how impressive they are – and we know how tough going to Dublin is. We haven't had a huge amount of success there over the last few years.”