The 35-year-old Toulon player, who hung up his international boots following his 112th Wales cap last summer, frequently experienced the giddy highs of success for his country, but admits those heady days seem long ago now.
“Wales are in a difficult spot at the minute. We could talk our way around this and we could sidestep it, but ultimately it’s nine defeats in a row,” says Biggar. “The loss of a lot of senior players means the team is struggling at the minute. But I do think that the Autumn Nations Series will be a little more positive than people think.” The arrival of Pacific Nations Cup winners Fiji on Sunday at the Principality Stadium will set the tone for the campaign to come, believes the former Ospreys and Northampton man. “That is a massive game first up. The way the Welsh driving maul and set piece got a little bit stronger by the end of the tour in Australia, if they keep the game nice and structured, don’t overplay, they’ve got a really good chance against Fiji,” he says. “That then breeds confidence going into Australia, who are in a similar position to Wales in terms of rebuilding and not having that much confidence.”
Then there is the not inconsiderable matter of the all-conquering Springboks to bring down the curtain on their November series. “You go into a game against South Africa where, on the face of it at the moment, they’re a touch too strong, but you never know with confidence,” suggests Biggar. “Build a bit of confidence – and the regions have had an okay start in the URC – a little bit of feel-good factor.”
Biggar rues the fact that Wales’ young fly-halves are arriving at a challenging time – more so than when he made his first steps in Test rugby in 2008. “The team I came into was full of senior pros, and having a winning environment made becoming the Wales number ten a lot easier,” Biggar says. “Whereas if you’re coming in at the minute, you’re not on the front foot in as many games as you like, there aren’t as many senior pros around. You’re having to find your way when you’re a little short of confidence.”
In Biggar’s view, the upside of this Autumn Nations Series for his country is their fixture list. “Wales have got a really good set of fixtures, and although they’re by no means easy, all games are winnable and losable,” says Biggar, whose Toulon side lie fifth in the Top 14. “Across the board, though, the fixtures are awesome [for rugby fans]: New Zealand are playing France, Ireland. Those games are going to be amazing.
“You’ve got South Africa in town against Scotland and Wales. The match-ups this November have been so well-selected. It has the potential to go and light things up before next year’s Six Nations.”
Now that he lives in France, what does he think of Les Bleus’ chances of making it three consecutive wins against New Zealand? “France are confident. France minus Dupont and Ntamack in the last Six Nations, they looked like a team hungover from the World Cup, didn’t they?” Biggar says. “When you put Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack into a team, they’re going to be much better than without them. I’ve been impressed with how the All Blacks bounced back after a tough opening period in The Rugby Championship. But I think France will be expecting to win, and with Shaun Edwards there making sure they’re full fired up and ready for it.”
In spite of, or due to, his Olympics-enforced absence from rugby union, scrum-half Antoine Dupont has dominated the rugby conversation for the past year or so. “He is just the absolute poster boy for the game – in the world, not just France – and his presence…” says Biggar, reaching for the superlatives. “He’s got the aura and the ability that, even with just his name on the teamsheet, it gives his team a lift and has the opposite effect on the other team. You put Dupont back in the starting team amongst everything they’ve got in terms of how strong the French club system is at the minute, you’d have to say that they’ll start as favourites.”
The Beauden Barrett versus Damian McKenzie debate has been settled for the time being, if only because Barrett will miss Friday’s match against Ireland with a head injury. As a man who knows the fly-half role better than most, what is Biggar’s perspective on who should start at tne for New Zealand. “Well, Richie Mo’unga’s in Japan, so they’re probably missing him a bit,” he begins. “McKenzie’s a fabulous player, as is Barrett. For the minute, they’re probably not quite sure what their best team is, which certainly with the New Zealand teams I played against in my career didn’t happen too often.”
Back to Wales: who does Biggar expect to stand out this Autumn Nations Series? “Tomos Williams has been the standout,” he answers, without missing a beat. “I know Wales had a poor Six Nations this year, but I just thought Tomos was excellent even in a struggling team. The pace and the energy he brings to the game, I think he’ll make a huge difference to Wales coming back in.”
Elsewhere on the pitch, Biggar has been impressed by Cardiff playmaker Ben Thomas, who recently experienced the bittersweet feeling of being labelled ‘the best back in Wales’ by none other than Warren Gatland. “I thought Ben had a good tour in Australia, and he’s started the season nicely,” says Biggar of the 25-year-old. “He could be a real asset to Wales. I don’t know if he’ll play in the ten shirt or the 12, but he’s a really nice footballer who can help Wales in either position. Those two have got real class about them, and Tomos being more experienced will be able to bring a bit of confidence and swagger back into the group.”
He also namechecks Williams’ Gloucester teammate, the man with whom Biggar once vied so enjoyably for the Wales shirt, Gareth Anscombe. “I’m not saying he’ll start, but having Gareth in the squad, maybe in a supporting role for Sam Costelow or whoever, will be really valuable because he’s someone who’s been there and done it. Having someone like him to lean on is so beneficial.”
Wales v Fiji, Sunday 10th November, 13:40, Principality Stadium. Live on TNT Sports.
