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Shock mid-season exit to France on cards for Dan Biggar - report
By Liam Heagney
Just weeks after he confirmed that he would leave Northampton at the end of the 2022/23 season, injured Wales out-half Dan Biggar has reportedly agreed to a mid-season switch from the Gallagher Premiership to the Top 14. Toulon, last season’s beaten Challenge Cup finalists, have been looking for cover for Ihaia West, the Champions Cup winner they recruited in the off-season from La Rochelle.
Recent reports suggested that out-of-favour Springboks out-half Elton Jantjies was set to finish up his stint in Japan and arrive soon at Toulon. However, that trail has since gone cold and rugbyrama.fr are now reporting that Biggar has signed a deal that will see him exit Northampton and join Toulon for the remainder of this season.
Their report read: “According to our information, the out-half and captain of Wales, Dan Biggar (33 years old, 105 caps), has signed up with Rugby Club Toulonnais for the rest of the season. While his (end-of-season) departure from the Northampton Saints had been formalised a few weeks ago, it was the harbour club, in search of an international out-half, who won the jackpot.
“Since the announcement of his departure from the Saints, rumours concerning the potential arrival of Biggar in France were legion. While Racing 92 was on the front line to try to enlist the out-half, it was Toulon - according to our information - who have obtained his signature.
“After the departures of Louis Carbonel and Anthony Belleau, the RCT had started the season with the only Ihaia West as an out-half. Baptiste Serin and Benoit Paillaugue helped out at the station but the arrival of a No10 was essential.
“If the track Elton Jantjies, dismissed by his Japanese club, had been advanced, it was finally not followed up since the South African would have been placed in a rehab centre and Biggar ultimately became the logical solution.
“The former Ospreys player is currently injured in his knee. His return date is not yet known but it is already certain that he will miss the November series with Wales.”
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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