SM
Old Firm derby: 15 hrs 40 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Oct 9, 2019 at 10.45am UK
 
Wales
29-17
Fiji
Adams (18', 31', 61'), Williams (70')
FT
Tuisova (4'), Murimurivalu (9'), Penalty (54')

Dan Biggar back available for Wales for Fiji clash

:Headline: Dan Biggar back available for Wales for Fiji clash: ID:373486: from db_amp
The fly-half has been an integral part of the World Cup campaign.

Dan Biggar is on course to be fit and available for Wales' next World Cup game against Fiji.

The fly-half went off in the 28th minute of a pulsating Pool D victory over Australia two days ago after making a try-saving tackle on Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi.

He failed a head injury assessment, and was replaced by Rhys Patchell, who kicked 14 points as Wales clinched a memorable 29-25 win.

Dan Biggar is an integral part of Wales' success, his coaching staff have said (David Davies/PA)

"Dan is symptom-free at the minute, and obviously just doing his protocols as you normally would," Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins said.

"As far as I understand, he will be ready to go by the time we play Fiji (on October 9), so that's obviously good news.

"It's bumps and bruises other than that, normal stuff from a Test match of that size.

"Dan is an outstanding rugby player, a world-class rugby player, so he's a huge part of our team and the way we like to play the game.

"I think we must not forget how good Rhys Patchell was when he came on, and how good a player he is as well. We are quite lucky to have the strength in depth that we have in our squad."

Patchell's composed performance helped Wales successfully navigate their way to victory as they held off a turbo-charged Wallabies fightback to take charge of Pool D.

Asked if it was the best form he had seen Patchell produce in a Wales shirt, Jenkins added: "In a game of that size, you could probably yes, but he was exceptional last summer in Argentina and the Six Nations a couple of years ago against Scotland.

“He was excellent on Sunday”
- Neil Jenkins

"He was excellent on Sunday. He came on and played the game we wanted to play and put us in the right areas and got us the lead we maintained to win the game."

Biggar and Patchell both kicked drop-goals in the game, which was double Wales' tally from that scoring method between the 2015 World Cup and Japan 2019.

"It was our first time for 30-odd games that we've dropped a goal," Wales' record international points-scorer Jenkins said.

Rhys Patchell made a difference when he came on against Australia (David Davies/PA)

"I think against Japan was the last one when Sam Davies nailed one, and Dan's last one I think was in the World Cup four years ago against South Africa.

"Shaun (Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards) is always on to me, to be honest.

"Every clip he sees of some big World Cup game, there is pretty much a drop-goal in it, and obviously it proved vital for us on Sunday.

"It is a skill in itself. If you can nail those three points and keep ticking the scoreboard over – three, six, nine – it makes a big difference, and it did for us on the weekend.

"On most occasions that we were in Australia's half in the first-half on Sunday, we managed to come away with points.

"I am sure as the tournament progresses, we will see a few more (drop-goals)."

Wales will complete their pool phase by tackling Fiji and then Uruguay, and they are firm favourites to win the group, setting up a potential quarter-final against France or Argentina.

"It is a fantastic achievement what we've done, but it is two out of two," Jenkins added. "We have another two tough games to go against Fiji and Uruguay.

"There is no way Fiji are going to lie down for us a week on Wednesday, no chance. It is going to be a very tough game. It could even be harder than on Sunday in a funny way.

"If you take anyone lightly in this World Cup, as we have already seen, you are going to come undone, plain and simple. There are no easy games in Test rugby any more."

amp_article__373486 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-01 05:50:27:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 07:06:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Dan Biggar

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .