View source for Dan Biggar

{{short description|Wales and British Lions international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name               = Dan Biggar
| image              = Dan Biggar 2015.jpg
| caption            = Biggar in 2015
| birth_name         = Daniel Rhys Biggar
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1989|10|16}}
| birth_place        = [[Morriston]], [[Swansea]], Wales
| height             = {{height|m=1.88}}
| weight             = {{convert|90|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on}}
| ru_currentposition = [[Fly-half]]
| youthyears1        =
| youthclubs1        = [[Gorseinon RFC|Gorseinon]]
| amatyears1         = 2007–2008
| amatteam1          = [[Swansea RFC|Swansea]]
| amatapps1          = 13
| amatpoints1        = (129)
| years1        = 2007–2018
| clubs1        = [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] 
| apps1         = 221
| points1       = 2,203
| years2        = 2018–2022
| clubs2        = [[Northampton Saints]]
| apps2         = 69
| points2       = 614
| years3        = 2022–
| clubs3        = [[RC Toulon|Toulon]]
| apps3         = 40
| points3       = 142
| clubupdate    = 10 May 2025
| repyears1    = 2008
| repteam1     = [[Wales national under-20 rugby union team|Wales U20]]
| repcaps1     = 9
| reppoints1   = 45
| repyears2    = 2008–2023
| repteam2     = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]
| repcaps2     = 112
| reppoints2   = 633
| repyears3    = [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2017]], [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2021]]
| repteam3     = [[British & Irish Lions]]
| repcaps3     = 3
| reppoints3   = 23
| repupdate    = 19:44, 25 March 2024 (UTC)<ref name="Lions vs Jap 2021">{{cite web |title=LIONS V JAPAN UPDATE |url=https://www.lionsrugby.com/2021/11/11/lions-v-japan-update/ |website=Lions Rugby |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>
| spouse       =
| children     =
| relatives    =
| school       = [[Gowerton Comprehensive School]]
| university   =
}}

'''Daniel Biggar''' (born 16 October 1989) is a Welsh professional [[rugby union]] player currently playing for French [[Top 14]] side [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] as a [[fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]]. A [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] international, Biggar has also twice been selected to tour with the [[British and Irish Lions]].

==Early life and youth rugby==
Born in [[Morriston]], Swansea,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ospreysrugby.com/Teams/Player?personId=134877|title=Dan Biggar Profile|publisher=Ospreys Rugby|access-date=16 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101095450/http://www.ospreysrugby.com/Teams/Player?personId=134877|archive-date=1 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea. He played his club rugby at [[Gorseinon RFC]]. He featured in the Premiership in the white of [[Swansea RFC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/ospreys-ultimate-xv-10|title=Ospreys Ultimate XV - 10 &#124; Ospreys|website=www.ospreysrugby.com}}</ref> He made his Ospreys debut as an 18-year old at the [[Millennium Stadium]], coming off the bench late on in an EDF Energy Cup semi-final win over [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]. On 12 September 2008, Biggar made his first Ospreys start in a [[2008–09 Celtic League|Magners League]] game against [[Glasgow Warriors]]. Biggar kicked 9 points including a long range drop-goal as the Ospreys ran out 18–21 winners at [[Firhill Stadium|Firhill]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/glasgow/7610335.stm|title=Glasgow Warriors 18-21 Ospreys|date=12 September 2008|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

Biggar finished the [[2010–11 Celtic League]] as top points scorer, ending the season with 248 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/stats-magnersleague-2010.html|title=Rabodirect PRO12 : 2010/2011 - Players stats and team of the year - It's rugby|website=www.itsrugby.co.uk}}</ref> He would follow this up the following season, again finishing top scorer on 257 points as Ospreys ran out [[Pro14|PRO12]] Champions. This season concluded with Biggar sinking the title-winning touchline conversion in the [[2012 Pro12 Grand Final|Grand Final]] win over [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]].

In September 2017 it was announced Biggar would join English Premiership side [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]] ahead of the 2018/19 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41173267|title=Wales' Biggar to join Northampton in 2018|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Following his exit from the Ospreys, Biggar held multiple records at the region. In 2012 he became the youngest player to reach 100 Ospreys appearances at just 22 and became the youngest to make 200 aged just 27 in 2017. He also became Ospreys and the Pro 14's record points scorer with 2203 points to his name.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Biggar made his Northampton debut against the Ospreys in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2018/2019 season. That season saw Saints lift the [[Premiership Rugby Cup]] and reach the knock-out stages of the Premiership for the first time in four years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/person/dan-biggar|title=Dan Biggar (Fly-half)|website=Northampton Saints}}</ref>

On 27 October 2022, he left Northampton to join top French side [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] in the [[Top 14]] competition with immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title=REPORT: Dan Biggar's his next club after leaving Northampton Saints with immediate effect |url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/report-dan-biggar-confirms-his-next-club-after-leaving-northampton-saints-with-immediate-effect/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Ruck |language=en-GB}}</ref> In April 2025 Biggar announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=Dan Biggar: Former Wales and Lions fly-half announces retirement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c807ye7v271o |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>  

==International==
===Wales===
A Wales age grades international, Biggar was selected for the [[Wales national rugby union team]] for the [[2008 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2008 Autumn Internationals]] series, making his debut at the age of 19 against Canada on 18 November.

On 18 January 2010, Biggar was named in the 35-man [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales national squad]] for the [[2010 Six Nations Championship|2010 Six Nations]] tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8463499.stm|title=Wales 2010 Six Nations Squad|date=19 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

After 18 months in the wilderness, including missing the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]], Biggar was recalled for the 2012 Welsh squad after a run of good form with the Ospreys. This form was topped off by the match-winning conversion from the touchline in the [[2012 Pro12 Grand Final]], as well as a number of man-of-the-match performances in the run-in at the end of the season. Biggar finally got his chance in the Welsh number 10 shirt in the victorious [[2013 Six Nations Championship]] campaign, starting all five games at fly half, thanks to a [[Rhys Priestland]] injury. Biggar capped off the tournament with a drop goal, conversion and penalty in the Championship decider against England.

Biggar continued his good run of form into the 2013–14 season, his performances for the [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] earning him a call-up for the [[2013 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2013 Autumn Internationals]], in which he started against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] and [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]], scoring a try against the former. He played three games during the [[2014 Six Nations Championship|2014 Six Nations]], coming on as a substitute for [[Rhys Priestland]] against [[France national rugby union team|France]] and [[England national rugby union team|England]] and starting against Scotland. In June 2014 Biggar started two tests against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], including in the narrow 31–30 second test defeat,{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} despite being yellow-carded. Biggar cemented his place as the [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] starting fly-half during the [[2014 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2014 Autumn Internationals]], starting three out of the four tests. He received many plaudits for his world-class performances, as well as receiving the man-of-the-match award against South Africa in a 12–6 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30265301|title=Wales 12–6 South Africa: Howley hails 'outstanding' Dan Biggar|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Biggar starred in all of Wales' [[2015 Six Nations Championship]] matches, and scored his first Welsh try vs France.

In the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]], Biggar took over the kicking duties after Halfpenny was ruled out of the whole tournament. Biggar kicked 56 points during the tournament including 23 points in Wales' 28–25 win over England, and claimed the Man of the Match accolade. In the quarter-final, he converted Gareth Davies' try against South Africa. Despite this, Wales would go on to lose 23–19.

On 12 November 2016, Biggar won his 50th Wales cap in an Autumn International against Argentina as Wales ran out 24–20 winners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37935687|title=Wales 24-20 Argentina|date=10 November 2016|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Biggar was selected as part of the Wales squad for [[2019 Rugby World Cup]]. Biggar entered the tournament as first choice fly-half and played a pivotal role as Wales reached the semi-finals. In the second pool game against Australia, Biggar kicked the fastest drop-goal in Rugby World Cup history with the referee signalling the score after 36 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/hail-return-rugby-world-cup-drop-goal-103529|title=All Hail the Return Of The Rugby World Cup Drop-goal!|first=Rugby|last=World|date=30 September 2019|website=Rugby World}}</ref> Biggar missed the final Pool game against [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]] due to a second head injury of the tournament but returned for the quarter-final against [[France national rugby union team|France]]. In this game, Biggar kicked a 75th minute conversion and the final score of the game to help Wales progress with a tight 20–19 win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50096013|title=Wales into last four with thrilling win|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Biggar would play the final two games of the tournament; the semi-final defeat to South Africa and Bronze Final defeat against New Zealand.

With Alun Wyn Jones out injured,  Biggar was the captain for the 2022 Six Nations campaign. On 12 February 2022, in the match against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]], he earned his 100th international cap.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/dan-biggar-ive-got-100-caps-if-i-was-rubbish-i-wouldnt-have-kept-getting-picked-rpl2qd3xd|title = Dan Biggar: I've got 100 caps – if I was rubbish I wouldn't have kept getting picked}}</ref>

Biggar has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call "The Biggarena" after [[Los Del Rio]]'s 1995 hit, [[Macarena (song)|Macarena]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/front-row/11896460/The-Biggarena-Wales-fly-halfs-pre-kick-dance-becomes-minor-internet-sensation.html|title='The Biggarena!' Wales fly-half's pre-kick dance becomes minor internet sensation|last=Edwards|first=Tom|date=29 September 2015|publisher=Telegraph UK|access-date=11 October 2015}}</ref>

===British & Irish Lions===
In April 2017, Biggar was selected for the [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand]] as one of three Fly-half options.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lionsrugby.com/2017/04/19/gatland-unveils-his-2017-lions-squad/|title=Gatland unveils his 2017 Lions squad|date=19 April 2017}}</ref> Biggar made his first start of the tour in the provincial game against the [[Blues (Super Rugby)|Blues]] on 7 June 2017,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40169906#:~:text=The%20British%20and%20Irish%20Lions,try%20gave%20the%20Blues%20victory|title = Blues 22-16 British and Irish Lions|work = BBC Sport}}</ref> but was withdrawn after a 35 minutes and failed to reappear following a HIA. Biggar would next appear in the fourth tour game against the [[Highlanders (rugby union)|Highlanders]], assisting the opening try for [[Jonathan Joseph (rugby union)|Jonathan Joseph]] and kicking his first points as the Lions narrowly lost 33–32, despite being up when Biggar left the field.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40251270|title=Highlanders 23-22 British and Irish Lions|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Biggar's stand out performance came against the [[Chiefs (rugby union)|Chiefs]], kicking 100% in a comfortable win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/chiefs-vs-lions/report/80966|title=Chiefs 6-34 Lions: Jack Nowell scores twice as tourists ease past depleted Chiefs}}</ref> Despite his impressive form in the provincial games, Biggar would not make a test appearance against the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|All Blacks]]. Biggar ended the tour with 35 points from 5 appearances.

Biggar was selected for his second [[British and Irish Lions]] tour in May 2021 against reigning World Champions [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/lions-rugby-squad-announcement-live-20534045|title = Lions 2021 squad announcement: Gatland names 10 Welshmen|date = 6 May 2021}}</ref> Biggar started in the pre-tour match against [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]] at [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]]. Biggar kicked 4 conversions and assisted [[Tadhg Beirne]]'s try, being named Player of the Match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/jun/26/lions-japan-test-british-irish-lions-rugby-union-live|title = British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan: Jones injured in warmup win – as it happened|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 26 June 2021|last1 = Calvert|first1 = Lee}}</ref> Biggar's first appearance in South Africa was against the [[Sharks (rugby union)|Sharks]] on 10 July 2021, kicking 16 points in a 71–31 win.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/jul/10/sharks-v-british-irish-lions-live-rugby-union-tour-match|title = Sharks 31-71 British & Irish Lions: Tour match – as it happened|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 10 July 2021|last1 = McLaughlin|first1 = Luke}}</ref> Biggar was selected to start the first test 24 July 2021, making his test debut, as the Lions took a 1–0 series lead. Biggar kicked 5/6 for a total of 14 points before leaving the field with a head injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57955588|title=Lions fight back to clinch series opener|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> The Lions lost the second test 27–9, and in his 57 minutes on the pitch, Biggar passed the ball three times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/lions-explain-why-biggar-made-just-three-measly-passes-in-2nd-test|title=Lions explain why Biggar made just three measly passes in third test|work=Rugby Pass}}</ref> Biggar suffered a shin injury after 10 minutes of the third test which led to his early withdrawal from the game. Biggar's tour ended with 47 points from 5 appearances.

=== International tries ===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%"
|-
! Try  !! Opponent !! Location !! Venue !! Competition  !! Date !! Result
|-
| 1 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[Paris]], France || [[Stade de France]] || [[2015 Six Nations Championship|2015 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2015|February|28}} || Win
|-
| 2 || {{ru|ENG}} || [[London]], England || [[Twickenham]] || [[2016 Six Nations Championship|2016 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2016|March|12}} || Loss
|-
| 3 || {{ru|ITA}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2016 Six Nations Championship|2016 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2016|March|19}} || Win
|-
| 4 || {{ru|TON}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2018 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2018 Autumn Internationals]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2018|November|17}} || Win
|-
| 5 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2020 Six Nations Championship|2020 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2020|February|22}} || Loss
|-
| 6 || {{ru|ENG}} || [[London]], England || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2020 Six Nations Championship|2020 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2020|March|7}} || Loss
|-
| 7 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[Paris]], France || [[Stade de France]] || [[2021 Six Nations Championship|2021 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2021|March|20}} || Loss
|-
| 8 || {{ru|ARG}} || [[Marseille]], France || [[Stade Vélodrome]] || [[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023 World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|October|14}} || Loss
|-
|}

==Personal life==

On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the [[BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/35018538|title=BBC Wales Sports Personality 2015: Dan Biggar wins top award|work=BBC Sport|date=7 December 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{sport links}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20151208105923/http://www.wru.wales/eng/matchcentre/wales_seniors.php?player=62620&includeref=dynamic Wales Profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150929030839/http://www.ospreysrugby.com/Teams/Ospreys/Player/134877 Ospreys Profile]

{{RC Toulonnais squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Squads
|list1 = 
{{Wales 2015 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2017}}
{{Wales 2019 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2021}}
{{Wales 2023 Rugby World Cup squad}}
}}
{{BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year winners}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biggar, Dan}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Wales]]
[[Category:Northampton Saints players]]
[[Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players]]
[[Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen]]
[[Category:People educated at Gowerton Comprehensive School]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Morriston]]
[[Category:Swansea RFC players]]
[[Category:Wales international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Welsh rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
[[Category:2015 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:RC Toulon players]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate rugby union players in France]]