Wales coach Rob Howley has called on the Welsh rugby public to allow fly-half Dan Biggar time to develop.
The 23-year-old Ospreys playmaker will make his Six Nations debut against Ireland on Saturday having been given the nod ahead of James Hook to replace the injured Rhys Priestland.
Biggar has 11 caps, but this will be his first experience of the pressures that come with being Wales' pivot in the Six Nations.
"Dan Biggar is the in-form 10 in Wales," said Howley.
"His game-management during the Heineken Cup matches this season - Toulouse home and away, and his general play against Leicester - he was one of the stand-out players.
"It is important he gets an opportunity, but please can you keep the pressure off him. It is important he is given the chance to develop.
"It's a big game for Dan. Obviously, he understands that, but our Welsh culture and the way we talk about our 10s, it is important that Dan is given an opportunity.
"He will certainly be given a chance by the Wales management. He understands there is competition with James, but it is a big starting game for Dan. He has been exceptional this week."
Meanwhile, Wales captain Sam Warburton has been impressed with the enthusiasm shown by 28-year-old Dragons lock Andrew Coombs, who will make his international debut this weekend, less than three years after turning professional.
"You can tell he (Coombs) is dying to get on the pitch," Warburton said.
"I think he is one of those players who I don't think it will affect him too much. I think he will take it all in his stride.
"He seems very confident and ready for the game on Saturday. He is a very difficult player to play against, and he has played exceptionally well over the past few months. I am looking forward to packing down with him."
Howlet was equally impressed.
"Andrew has been on our radar over the last six months, really. He's a very good ball-carrier, his work-rate is second to none and he is excellent in the line-out," said the coach.
"The line-out game against Ireland is always important. When we've played against them recently there has always been a number of line-outs in the game. We just need to have options in that area, and Andrew will certainly add to that part of the game."
Comments
jontheref says...
Westscon,
Yes, I believe also Hook is being punished for something.
Nonsensical to have kept faith with priestland when he had a run of 10 poor test performances.
Yes, biggar was given the poisened chalice of the samoa game, and paid the price by being headhunted out of it.
Mike104, again i agree with you, seems like howley is making his excuses before the game, like Graham henry did with Arwell Thomas during the days of neil Jenkins at 10.
Melkdave, you have missed out one of the best 10's wales have ever had, Jonathan davies, proved it in Union and league, unforyunately a little too old when he came back to union for his Swan Song!
The closest wehvae had recently, is Priestland RWC vintage, and James Hook who was the 10 during the 08 Grand Slam.
Supporting the guys today, hope I'm wrong and Howley is right, but he does not inspire me with confidence.
Posted 08:30 02nd February 2013
LastMan says...
Hope Sean O'Brien gives him time, and is very considerate to his need top develope!!!!
Posted 18:15 01st February 2013
whatisthis says...
"when we have played against them recently there has always been a number of line-outs in the game" wow inciteful stuff. So if this 28 year old is an excellent ball carrier with second to none work rate and is excellent in the line out why has he only been on the radar for 6 months... Maybe he doesn't tackle or hit rucks?? Haha
Posted 00:22 01st February 2013
melkdave says...
I think D.Bigger will develop into a good international FH,but he does need to improve his running game imo,to be a top class international FH,and for that he needs time and games.It has been the one element missing from welsh FH since the great B.John and P.Bennett era imo.The ability of the FH to offer a real threat with ball in hand .Saying that its also true of most FHs atm,which is why D.Carter stands out,he does offer that threat imo.
Posted 00:14 01st February 2013
Westscon says...
Is Hook being punished? I really cannot understand Howley's selection over the last year. Priestland deserved consideration after a pretty good World Cup but his form deteriorated pretty rapidly and he was given the jersey way past deserving it. Biggar is definitely in good form but would rather kick than run. Hook has a proven track record of success an under-21, sevens, and at flyhalf, centre and fullback. In fact, he has won 6 Nations matches almost on his own. He can run effectively and kick as well as anyone else. He makes the occasional big mistake but they are from aggressiveness rather than timidity. He is the starting fly-half on the #7 team in the Top 14 -- undeniably a superior league to the RaboDirect Pro12. What else do you want? Perhaps it is not Howley (or Gatland)? Is it the WRU? Do they blame him for the exodus of quality Welsh players to France? It seems that way to me. Wales needs a spark in the attack right now.
Posted 20:41 31st January 2013
NHsaints says...
Biggar had a great start to the Samoa game so it's a shame he was injured, let's see how he goes before we start judging.
Posted 20:02 31st January 2013
mike104 says...
Howley is not filling me with confidence by asking supporters to give Biggar time to develop..He mentions 2 games Toulouse and Leicester .. what about all the others..Biggar is a brilliant kicker but does not get over the gain line with ball in hand enough.. We have a kicker in Halfpenny..I hope he(Biggar) has a big game and proves me wrong, but Hook is still the man for me and Ireland up first is not a game to be used to see if a man is up to it when you have a proven No 10 on the bench. At least we have some real strike runners in the rest of the back line.
Posted 17:43 31st January 2013