All eyes are on Dan Biggar as he takes over the captain’s armband
WALES fans are hoping new captain Dan Biggar can lead the side to another Six Nations title this year.
The Northampton fly-half will take the armband as 149-cap veteran Alun Wyn Jones misses out due to a shoulder injury.
Biggar has been ever-present in the Wales squad since the 2013 championship and has won 95 caps.
His competitive edge and leadership qualities, alongside his invaluable kicking and game management, will be key if Wales are to be successful this Six Nations.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “Dan has the respect of the other players and management so we think he’ll do a great job.
“The captain has to have a guaranteed, bolted-on position in the team and we think that Dan at the moment is the form 10 and in the other positions there’s a lot of competition.”
Biggar has a wealth of experience and could win his 100th cap this championship, meanwhile, Tomos Francis, Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies all have 60 caps or more under their belts.
Wales boast a squad of other experienced players and emerging youngsters, but they are missing out on more than 680 caps of experience as stalwarts including Ken Owens, George North and Leigh Halfpenny are injured.
Fan Hedd Jones, 23, from Roath is excited about Wales’ backs.
“There’s loads of talent in the backs so I’d be looking at the vets like Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams to lead and of course expecting a big show by Zammit. There are lots to look forward to,” he said.
But Andrew Lloyd from Splott believes Wales forwards will be key to success.
“I think that the key players will be those that need to provide the platform up front, so I would single out Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis who will need to shore up the scrum.
“Adam Beard will need to get the line-out functioning which is not always the case with Wales.”
Wayne Pivac has included three uncapped players in his squad. Ospreys duo Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan receive call ups alongside Cardiff back row James Ratti.
Louis Rees-Zammit is also in the squad. The 20-year-old has already made his mark on world rugby after impressing with Gloucester and impressive performances for the national team.
The squad met up on January 24 to begin preparations as they take on Ireland in Dublin this Saturday.
There were no fans at last year’s Six Nations, a sting felt by all nations as stadiums fell empty for the first time in the championship’s history.
But this year fans return, and Mr Lloyd believes they will make a huge difference.
“Wales have three home games this year and you cannot underestimate the impact that a packed Principality Stadium crowd can have on those games,” he said.
Wales know that retaining the championship will be a tough ask, but it’s one that players and fans believe can be achieved.
“As always the hope is to win the whole thing, but obviously it’s going to be a difficult one this year with a lot of changes, new young players in the squad and other countries seem to be on top form,” said Mr Jones.
The Wales 2022 Guinness Six Nations Squad:
