Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Simon Thomas

Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones to 'bash heads against a brick wall' over who will lead Wales out against Italy

Dan Biggar says he and Alun Wyn Jones will be bashing their heads against a brick wall over who will lead Wales out against Italy on Saturday.

Fly-half Biggar will win his 100th Welsh cap, while it will be number 150 for returning second row Jones. You can see all the team news here. So, which of the two pals will be first out of the tunnel at the Principality Stadium as they both reach major milestones?

“I am not actually sure yet,” said Biggar.

“We have a day off tomorrow (Wednesday) and I would imagine me and Al will sit down with a coffee and have that discussion.

Read next: Win free tickets for Wales v Italy

“I would imagine he will be saying for me to lead it out and I will be saying for him to do it. We may be bashing our heads against a brick wall for a while. We will have a chat about it tomorrow.”

The 32-year-old Biggar has spent much of his career being skippered by Jones, for the Ospreys, Wales and the Lions. But now the roles will be reversed as he has retained the captaincy for the final Six Nations fixture despite the big man being back on board.

“It may be a one-off,” he said.

“It’s a really nice touch to be given the confidence with Wayne (Pivac) and there have been no issues with that at all. I have really enjoyed the job. It’s not without its challenges. It’s not the easiest job in the world, but I’ve really enjoyed leading the group.”

It’s fitting that Biggar and Jones should share their landmark day together this weekend as they go back a long way.

“The first time I met him was when he was a young pup at the Ospreys with a bit more energy than sense really,” said Biggar.

“He was all over the shop and running round like a headless chicken. I am really fortunate to have played a lot of rugby with Al over the years and watched him turn into what he is now, which is an absolute legend of the game.”

On becoming a Welsh centurion, Biggar said: “It will be very special.

“I got to 90 in last year’s Six Nations and when you get to that it’s very difficult not to look towards getting to 100. It’s a nice moment to get to and hopefully we can make the day really special for Al as well.

“To play 150 Tests in the position he does is some achievement. He has done incredible things to get his body back fit, the same as he did in the summer.

“I am really honoured to share the day with him. We want to finish the competition off in a really good way to make the day special.”

Some have questioned the decision to put the 36-year-old Jones straight back into the side after five months out following shoulder surgery, with Will Rowlands dropping to the bench despite having had such a fine Championship campaign.

“It’s really difficult because the boys in the second row have done a really good job,” said Biggar. “They have done incredibly well and Al would acknowledge that. But when you’ve got a player of his calibre and pedigree, if he’s back fit it’s very difficult not to select him with what he’s given to the jersey.

“He wouldn’t want to be picked for sentiment at all, but he deserves a pretty good day in Cardiff with his 150th. It’s an incredible achievement. To have his family there, he will be immensely proud.”

Get the latest rugby news and analysis sent straight to you with our Welsh rugby newsletter.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.