By David Williams
Dan Biggar has announced that he will retire from international rugby after the upcoming Rugby World Cup – in order not to become an absent dad.
The 33-year-old is due to compete in his third tournament after his selection was confirmed in Warren Gatland’s final 33-player squad ahead of the tournament in France.
But Biggar has confirmed he plans to call time on his stellar international career, having made 109 appearances since his Wales debut in 2008.
The former Ospreys and Northampton star plans to keep playing for Toulon in France, but won’t be returning to Wales for the 2024 Six Nations in order to continue his Test career.
In his newspaper column in the Mail on Sunday, he said: “I have a young family in France now and I don’t think it’s fair for me to keep getting on a flight every autumn, summer and Six Nations.
“My eldest, James, is at an age where he has school shows and sports days and I don’t want to miss those moments.
Rugby : le Gallois Dan Biggar prendra sa retraite internationale après le Mondial https://t.co/nYma1EmgGn #Rugby #Galles #mondial2023 #Dan_Biggar #sport pic.twitter.com/Ym68BPpJuQ
— AL24News Français (@AL24Francais) August 27, 2023
“Playing 10 for Wales takes its toll. I had a conversation about this the other day with my wife, Alex. Everyone’s got an opinion and there’s always someone better than you.
“There have been plenty of moments when I’ve copped it and I’m proud of how long I’ve lasted.”
Biggar has also previously captained Wales, taking over during Alun Wyn Jones’ absence in the 2022 Six Nations.
He will link up with Wales’ most-capped senior men’s back George North ahead of what will be his fourth World Cup.
Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan have been named Wales co-captains in a squad that features 19 forwards and 14 backs, 17 of which enter with past World Cup experience.
Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 10, but it will be the last Biggar will be involved in.
https://twitter.com/JNPhillips4/status/1695556874047770808?s=20
He added: “To be brutally honest, my body has started to feel more like a 33-year-old’s in the last 12 months. I still feel great on the pitch but the recovery days and the days off are getting a little harder.”
But he also insisted: “I’m not going to France to enjoy the weather and have a bit of a kickaround in the sun.
“I want to go out with as much of a bang as possible. The dream would be to get out of the group, go deep into the tournament and go out on a real high.”
