Toulon statement: The signing of Dan Biggar from Northampton

Toulon have officially confirmed their capture of Wales skipper Dan Biggar until the end of the season, the French club and Northampton both releasing stories simultaneously explaining that the seasoned out-half had exited Franklin’s Gardens with immediate effect.

Pictured on the Toulon website holding the French club’s jersey, a statement read: “The Rugby Club Toulonnais formalises the arrival of the international and captain of Wales, Dan Biggar. The out-half commits with RC Toulon from this month of November until the end of the season.

“Present a few days ago at the RCT campus, Dan Biggar and the club finalised the final details of his move. The player passed all his medical examinations before officially initialing his contract.

“He has already joined the selection of Wales, which he will accompany during the November Test matches. Dan Biggar will be available and back in Toulon at the end of this international window and will be able to apply as soon as his current knee injury has recovered.”

Bernard Lemaitre, the Toulon president, explained: “We are very proud of the arrival of Dan Biggar in Toulon. He is an exceptional player, who will complete our squad as an out-half. He can of course also play as a full-back or a centre. Dan will bring his experience as captain of the Wales XV to the whole team.

“A fine strategist, Dan Biggar is an outstanding scorer who has a very high-quality kicking game. I would also like to thank the Northampton club and especially John White and Mark Darbon for the help they gave us in the success of this recruitment.”

Northampton had last month announced that the 33-year-old Wales international would be leaving Franklin’s Gardens at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, but that exit has now been bright forward as Toulon were in the market for an out-half due to their current over-reliance on Ihaia West.

Saints boss Phil Dowson said: “Dan has been an exceptional servant to Northampton Saints; he is a player of proven international quality but has also been a leader within our group and he will be missed by the squad, staff and supporters here.

“While we are losing him earlier than expected, we respect that he has been presented with a unique long-term opportunity in France and has made a decision with the future of his family in mind, so we did not want to stand in his way. Dan is a great man, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.”