Dan Biggar's Passionate Plea for Wales in Six Nations Showdown
Throughout my 15-year international rugby career, I always played with my heart on my sleeve. In my early days with Wales, I was often too forthright with teammates, letting the intense passion for representing my country overwhelm me at times. Ask any player who shared the field with me over the years, and they would confirm this was true—some might even say it was a regular occurrence, especially if I hadn't been selected for a match, which happened frequently. I will happily admit that I did not always get things right.
A Lesson in Leadership from Warren Gatland
One example stands out vividly. Ahead of the 2023 World Cup, during a training match in Turkey, my team conceded a simple penalty, and I lost my composure, shouting and screaming in frustration. After the session, Warren Gatland approached me and said, 'What you said was right, but do you think it was helpful?' He reminded me of an old rugby adage: you can either add to the problem or be part of the solution. This wisdom resonated with me, though I did not always heed it, as I needed that emotional edge to perform at my peak, which also helped compensate for any lack of natural talent.
Upon reflecting on Gatland's words, I realised my outburst had not aided my team; by losing my head, I had exacerbated the issue rather than contributing to a resolution. Dan Biggar always played with passion and intensity across his 112 caps for Wales, but this incident underscored the importance of channeling emotions constructively.
Wales' Struggles Ahead of France Clash
This brings me to Wales' upcoming Six Nations clash with France in Cardiff on Sunday. It is an incredibly challenging period to be a Welsh rugby fan, and there is no sugarcoating the situation. The national team has not won a Championship game since 2023, and the 48-7 defeat by England was far below international standards. Off the field, political in-fighting within the Welsh Rugby Union has turned toxic, as plans to reduce professional teams from four to three fuel apathy among supporters.
Consequently, numerous tickets remain available for the France match, with the WRU even giving many away for free. It is evident that Wales are no longer the draw they once were. Fans are voting with their feet, and it is difficult for those who cherish Welsh rugby to justify spending money on tickets amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The Role of Fans and Team Performance
However, everyone faces a choice, and the off-field politics are not the fault of Steve Tandy and his players. What they can control is their performance, and the display against England was unequivocally inadequate. I am not suggesting that a full Principality Stadium guarantees a Wales victory over France—Les Bleus are strong favourites given the current state of both teams. But does a packed house make it easier for Wales to perform at their best? Absolutely, yes. Conversely, does an attendance with 20,000 empty seats hinder Tandy's squad? Again, yes.
Moreover, empty seats in Cardiff further harm the WRU commercially, reducing funds available to support the game. It is easy to back your team during prosperous times, and as a player, I was fortunate to experience those highs. Yet, it is in adversity that true fans demonstrate their loyalty. I understand the hardship for supporters right now, but this young Wales team desperately needs assistance. Creating any advantage is crucial, and the Principality Stadium, with its unparalleled atmosphere, can be a significant asset.
Atmosphere and Its Impact on the Game
In my view, it is the best rugby ground globally, capable of inspiring extraordinary feats. For instance, when we defeated England 30-3 in 2013 to secure the Six Nations title and deny them a grand slam, the crowd's roar made us feel invincible. Conversely, I recall a 2014 match against Australia where I was substituted, and Rhys Priestland was booed upon entering the field—a negative atmosphere that severely impacted him and the team.
While I urge fans to turn out in force during this crisis, the team must also give them something to cheer about. Wales have emphasised fight and desire, but these should be inherent whether playing for Bridgend Under-15s on a Sunday morning or the British & Irish Lions. Following the dismal performance against England, we must see improvements in discipline and accuracy at the very least.
Facing France and the Need for Resilience
If not, it could be a long afternoon, especially given France's impressive showing against Ireland. I have witnessed French fans turning on their team at the Stade de France, with white handkerchiefs and whistling signaling trouble for Les Bleus—a scenario that benefits the opposition. Wales must make life difficult for France, and a hostile home crowd can undoubtedly contribute to that. France are now so formidable they require no assistance.
Despite Wales' struggles, my former defence coach Shaun Edwards will have France impeccably prepared, ensuring no complacency. I maintain a brilliant relationship with Shaun and respect his outstanding work; it is remarkable to associate France with discipline, a trait absent in the teams I faced. Now, they are organised and hungry, so Tandy must make Wales harder to beat. I believe Wales have become too easy to play against, and this must change.
Drawing Inspiration from Roy Keane
Over the years, many called me rubbish, but the criticism that would have stung most was if someone labeled a team I played in as soft or too easy to defeat—that would have cut me to my core. Wales failed to challenge George Ford last weekend; against France, they must throw the first punch. As a devoted Manchester United fan, I admire Roy Keane. His advice on Sky Sports about taking the game to teams is invaluable, and while his 'try hitting somebody' quote has become a meme, I am not advocating violence. However, Wales could adopt his mantra of not holding back. An early try, big tackle, or line break can energise the crowd and unsettle France, giving Wales a chance to be competitive.
Conclusion: Finding Positives in a Negative Spiral
Even without their first-choice centres, France remain a remarkable team, with players like Antoine Dupont, Matthieu Jalibert, and Thomas Ramos alone worth the ticket price. Some Wales fans may disagree with this column, but at present, there are few positives in Welsh rugby, so we must seek them out. The alternative is a continuation of the doom spiral of negativity, which, while understandable given off-field drama, does not benefit the team. Let us rally behind the squad and strive for a brighter future.
