An emotional Dan Biggar has said he lived his childhood dream by managing 18 years of top level rugby.
Biggar confirmed he will hang up his boots at the end of the current season, drawing the curtain on a remarkable rugby journey that saw him reach the highest echelons of the sport.
The 35-year-old, currently with French club Toulon, retires having made an indelible mark for club and country.
Biggar, who stepped away from international rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will finish his playing career in the Top 14 this summer.
Across his 15-year Test career, the fly-half earned 112 caps for Wales, racking up over 600 points, and played in three World Cups.
He was also selected for two British and Irish Lions tours, earning three Test caps in South Africa in 2021.
“There comes a point where you just know, not because of anything in particular, but someone once said to me 'when you know, you'll know',” Biggar shared in his retirement statement.
"Rugby has given me everything. I threw myself into this game at 17 and it's given me a life that I could never have imagined.
I've lived out my childhood dreams for the best part of two decades and I'm so, so grateful for that."
Biggar launched his senior career with the Ospreys in 2008 after coming through the ranks at Gorseinon RFC and Swansea RFC.
During 11 seasons at the region, he made 221 appearances and scored a record 2,203 points. He helped guide the Ospreys to two Pro12 titles in 2010 and 2012 and became a mainstay in the number ten jersey.
He gave special thanks to former Ospreys coach Sean Holley, saying:
"A special mention has to go to Sean Holley, who took a chance on a young, cocky 17-year-old when public opinion told him to do otherwise. Who knows if things would have turned out if you hadn't, so thank you Sean."
A move to England followed in 2018, where Biggar spent four seasons with Northampton Saints.
He made 69 appearances, lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup, and helped the club reach the league play-offs in his debut campaign.
In late 2022, he transferred to Toulon, where he will complete his final season as a player.
Reflecting on his Test career, Biggar said: "To have represented my country once was a dream come true, but to have done it 112 times was beyond my wildest dreams.
“While it came with its unique pressures, playing number ten for Wales was the best job in the world, and I am proud to have done that more than any other player.
“I can’t wait to watch the next generation of Welsh tens do their thing in that famous shirt."
Though he acknowledges that the last year in Toulon has not unfolded as hoped, Biggar values the personal growth that came with it.
"I also know that the last 12 months haven't quite gone as I'd hoped with Toulon, it's been tough and setbacks teach you a lot more about yourself and over the last 12 months I've learned a huge amount.
“There's no real perfect moment to walk away, but this does feel like the right one.
“I'm choosing to retire, which a lot of sportspeople don't get to do when they're healthy and I feel very grateful and excited about what's coming next."
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Beyond the field, Biggar has begun carving out a media career.
He writes a regular column for the Daily Mail, hosts two podcasts, and published his autobiography The Biggar Picture, which has been shortlisted for the Charles Tyrwhitt Rugby Book of the Year.
His retirement note also paid heartfelt tribute to his family and late mother.
"The thing I'm most proud about is being able to give my family opportunities in life, that's what means the most to me and what I'm most proud of," he said.
"To my amazing wife Alex and my two beautiful boys I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You were always there to pick me up when things were low and have been by my side through everything when I've needed it. I'm very lucky."
"The one person who isn't here to say thank you to is my mum, who sadly passed away four years ago. Everything I've done over the last 18 years is because of her."
