Happy: Dan Biggar
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Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar believes he has gone a long way to silencing his critics following his showing in victory against France last weekend.
The 23-year-old, who created George North's key try in Paris, gave an impressive performance after being retained from their home defeat to Ireland.
And his strong Paris outing saw him rewarded when interim coach Rob Howley announced that his team would be unchanged for the trip to Italy.
"I never doubted myself. When you doubt yourself, it becomes a very uphill battle," Biggar told Press Association Sport.
"I've always believed I've some ability to step up and it's just nice we managed to put it together at the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it from minute one to 80.
"I'm under no illusions, my performance wasn't perfect. There were some errors in it but in games like that there are going to be some. I think we made a couple less than France did and managed to edge it."
It is now predicted that Wales are in line for a Six Nations title showdown with England in Cardiff on the final day of the Championship, with their rivals on course for a possible Grand Slam. But Biggar was quick to play down such an occurrence due to Italy's form in Rome.
"Gone are the days when you turn up there, put your kit on and get the result," he warned.
"It's a hugely difficult place to go. You can tell that by Italian club rugby. I know they're not quite up there at the top of the RaboDirect Pro12 but the amount they have improved, especially Treviso and even Zebre's play is improving, so we have to be wary.
"They've got one of the greats of the game in Sergio Parisse. He's a real talisman for them so there's a lot of pressure on us going there to keep this run, this momentum going because they're a great side."
Comments
jontheref says...
I agree it is too early to be talking of Wales going for a title, or England a Grand Slam.
But you are wrong saying it is the media.
It is the England players in the Metro and Evening Standard who are saying they are on course for a Grand Slam.
They may well win one, but take it one game at a time.
Beat France, and I think they will be coming to cardiff for a pop at it.
But you will look so silly, if you slip up before.
Kind of backs up the perception of arrogant English?
Posted 02:36 15th February 2013
melkdave says...
Have to agree with the other posts here.so far theres been nothing to suggest England wil be playing for a slam in Cardiff or that Wales have any better chance of wining the championship ,than any other team.Once again the media is geting ahead of themselves in the quest for salesEvery team has very hard matches infront of them,that atm can go eitherway.The best thing about this years championship,is that Italy seem to have finally arrived as real contenders,despite the loss to Scotland,They still played good structured rugby,and the result could have been alot closer ,than it was .Silly basic ,isyakes cost Italy dear and i dought they will repeat them .
Posted 15:55 14th February 2013
PontySurrey says...
Yes. Same nonsense as the papers/pundits saying that the Ireland England match was the 6N decider. These people seem to take no account of previous 6N which invariably contain more twists and turns than a road in Snowdonia!
Posted 13:48 14th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
It seems Wales are now the team to beat. I think North secured his Lions spot but for the rest its yet to be proven. Apparently Gatland has suggested to Howley he play Alistair Cambell at 7 and as captain.
Posted 12:32 14th February 2013
heathy says...
'It is now predicted that Wales are in line for a Six Nations title showdown with England in Cardiff'. WTF??? Who prints this stuff? We are TWO games in. TWO!!!!! To say at this stage whether Wales will be in line with a shot at the championship is just a joke. They have been dreadful. They have just been lucky that France, so far, have been worse!! We are getting waaaay ahead of ourselves here and it is based on nothing!! Actually, if it was based on form then Wales would be no where near a championship win. What are you talking about Ed? I've not heard anybody talking up Wales' chances so far. Where is this stuff coming from?
Posted 12:16 14th February 2013
sanka69 says...
Yep keep going with that 'run' of one win!!!!
Posted 09:46 14th February 2013