Six Nations 2022: From polite schoolboy to becoming the Biggar man

Made in Swansea, developed in Northampton and now captain of Wales, it has been quite a journey for Dan Biggar.

With Alun Wyn Jones injured, fly-half Biggar will become the 140th man to captain Wales on Saturday against Ireland, when Johnny Sexton will be his opposite number.

The Six Nations campaign could also see Biggar pass 100 internationals and achieve a century of Wales caps.

Having honed his rugby skills at Gowerton Comprehensive and Gorseinon RFC in Swansea, Biggar has gone on to play for Ospreys and Northampton.

First capped by Wales as a teenager, he has played 95 times for his country, and has a Grand Slam, three Six Nations titles and a couple of World Cup semi-finals on his CV.

Biggar, 32, has travelled on two British and Irish Lions tours and started three Tests against South Africa in 2021.

As BBC Sport Wales talks to the those who have worked with Biggar, common threads emerge.

He is a fierce competitor on the field who has overcome adversity, and a gentleman off the pitch who has been shaped by his family — particularly his mum Liz, who sadly died last year before seeing him lead his country or play a Lions Test.

Here is the Dan Biggar story, told by some of the coaches who have helped him throughout his career.

Dean Mason was Biggar's rugby teacher at Gowerton Comprehensive, which has produced four former Wales captains.

«He was always a polite and respectful young man in school and that hasn't changed.

»I used to take touch rugby sessions on the tennis courts at dinner time when the boys were between 11 and 14.

«Dan used to play and after each one he would quietly come and say 'thank you, sir'. That was unusual and I remember it vividly 20 years on.

»One incident stands out that summed him up as a potential future