When subjective opinions collide.
There is not a single person in Ireland that did not look at Dan Biggar’s performance against England and think the Welshman had a hell of a game.
The Ospreys outhalf performed admirably for a team that was, for large swathes of his team’s match against England, was on the back-foot.
Allied to that was his nerveless kicking, which included a winning penalty from all over 42 metres.
Wales, right now, is reeking of euphoria and they have every right to believe their side will top Pool A and give themselves a favourable quarter final draw.
That is no excuse, however, to lose the run of yourself and declare Dan Biggar has been the best outhalf in the northern hemisphere for the past 18 months.
That’s exactly what former Wales captain Ryan Jones has done.
Jones, who led Wales to a Grand Slam in 2008, has made the claim in an interview featured on Wales Online today. He claims Biggar would, without question, start in the British & Irish Lions No.10 jersey, against the All Blacks, if the side was picked right now.
“People look at his excellent performance at Twickenham,” says Jones, “but I think he has been the best around for the last 12 to 18 months.
“He has regularly performed to that level for region and country and those of us who saw him come through the ranks have been fully aware of just how good he is.
“Because Leigh Halfpenny is such a magnificent goalkicker, Dan’s ability in that area has tended to be overlooked somewhat. But he is a goalkicker of the highest quality in his own right, as we saw against England.”
Jones adds, “He also stands out amongst players because he is a leader out on the field, bosses others around. And that’s what you want from your out-half.
“I rate him very, very highly and have done for a number of years.”
It’s all well and good rating someone but Sexton has led Ireland to Six Nations championships in 2014 and 2015 and started all three Tests of the winning Lions tour to Australia, in 2013.
Biggar was understudy to Rhys Priestland until midway through the 2014 Six Nations.
In fairness to Jones, though, the Welshman came out in top in their most recent Test clashes – March and August this year.
Still, when it comes to the total package in the 10 jersey, Sexton is a street ahead.
