Farewell to Wales' beating heart as World Cup exit spells end for Dan Biggar

15 October 2023 , 08:06

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Biggar bowed out of international rugby as Wales exited World Cup in Marseille (Image: Getty Images)

With the Prince of Wales looking on Dan Biggar, the beating heart of Welsh rugby, bade an emotional farewell to the Test arena last night.

He had left his home in nearby Toulon hell bent on extending his 112-cap career at least until the World Cup left his neighbourhood and moved to Paris.

But Argentina would not play ball, leaving the warrior fly-half to quietly exit the stage holding his son in his arms as the mother of all South American parties got underway.

Wales coach Warren Gatland spoke later of how “incredible” a servant Biggar has been. “He’s so competitive, he so wants to win. He definitely wears his heart on his sleeve.”

That much was clear to the very end as, grateful though he was to be able to influence his own fate after recovering from injury in the nick of time, the competitor in him had eyes only for victory.

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You could see it from the off as three times in the first 10 minutes he worked openings for Louis Rees-Zammit on the right. Argentina held firm but Biggar would not be denied, brilliantly putting his team ahead on 15 minutes.

Argentina's players celebrate Joel Sclavi's try with Biggar (10) powerless to prevent the score (PA Wire)

Taking the ball to the line he delayed and delayed until right in the faces of the opposition when he slipped it to George North.

North crashed through, popped it to Gareth Davies and there was Biggar on his inside shoulder to take the scoring pass, before adding the extras and a penalty to put Wales 10 points up.

Imagine the pride of a man who has so quickly made his home in these parts, learning the language in next to no time and becoming an instant favourite.

Biggar clutches his leg after taking a whack on it (Getty Images)

To be calling the shots on the Cote d’Azur in his 15th year of international rugby, watched by his family, was to live a dream. Only there would be a rude awakening.

First he was left limping by a late hit, then he pulled a penalty. Worse still, North made a mess of a pass to Josh Adams that should have put Wales 17 clear.

Biggar kept pushing and probing but Wales’ line out went to pieces and the tide turned, Argentina were gifted a stream of penalties and we all know what Emiliano Boffelli’s right boot does with those.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland (Getty Images)

In 10 minutes either side of half-time the winger nailed four to put the Pumas ahead and send their fans into raptures.

Biggar tried to wrest back control, beautifully drawing two defenders to enable Tomos Williams, fresh off the bench, to snipe over the line and put Wales back in front.

But it was not enough. The Pumas rode their luck with the ref and finished in devastating fashion, leaving Biggar to ponder what might have been.

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Alex Spink