Biggar: Players would love to reward Saints with Premiership title win

Dan Biggar says the Saints players 'would love' to reward the club with a Premiership title win this season.
Dan BiggarDan Biggar
Dan Biggar

Biggar and his team-mates have been happy with how Saints have handled the difficult situations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Clubs up and down the country have been facing tough financial times, but the black, green and gold have had clear communication with their staff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pay cuts of around 10 per cent will be taken across the board - with exemptions for staff who earn the lowest amounts - for the next 12 months.

But Biggar, who was one of 19 players who recently agreed a contract extension at Saints, has backed those decisions and he has been impressed with the hierachy at Franklin's Gardens.

"I would love if we could deliver a Premiership trophy for this club," Biggar told BBC Sport.

"It would be a reward to how well we have handled the pay cut system and how well we are looked after here.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The brand of rugby we are trying to play is the right way to play and if we can deliver a Premiership trophy this year or next year, it would be a great achievement for the club.

"For me personally, it would be right at the top of my list."

Saints moved to Stage 2 training on Monday, meaning close contact work is now allowed at Franklin's Gardens.

A return to Gallagher Premiership action is currently pencilled in for the weekend of August 15, but the schedule is set to be a hectic one with midweek matches being proposed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

England's top tier clubs each have nine regular-season games remaining and the final is set to be played on October 24, all being well.

But Biggar is not fazed by the possibility of games coming thick and fast.

"It is about squad rotation," said Biggar.

"If you look at the forwards in particular, if they play on a Saturday you probably don't feel quite right until the Wednesday or Thursday and are fully able to train the following week.

"It is going to be very difficult for forwards to back up from Saturday to Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It is about using our squad and that's why we feel as if we are in a decent position because we have been able to get people back fit, especially in our forward pack."

And Biggar added: "It's going to be tough going.

"Even though we have had a break to freshen your body, which will benefit us, you are still ticking over and you have not been able to refresh yourself.

"It is a long season and there is no way everybody is going to play every game from whenever we finish the end of next season.

"I don't think anyone is expecting everybody to be flying in the first game or two when you come back. It is about finding yourself and getting back to match fitness.

"Hopefully it will be a good 12 months."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Biggar was one of several star names recently linked with French club Beziers, with the PRO D2 outfit set for a sizeable cash injection.

But the 30-year-old is loving life at Saints and was only too happy to sign on again at the Gardens.

"I am happy and feel like I have improved and am a better player now than I was before I came here," said Biggar.

"It's nice to be sorted and have some security for the next couple of years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"(Attack coach) Sam Vesty is as good a coach as I have worked under in terms of making you a better player day in day out in training.

"(Director of rugby) Chris Boyd is as good as anyone out there in terms of managing a squad and getting a team to play. Those are key factors and these guys are great for me."

Biggar has racked up 284 points in 32 appearances for Saints and has notched 439 points in 83 internationals since making his Wales debut in 2008.

The fly-half is a fixture in his national side and he would love to hit a century for Wales as well as appearing on the next Lions tour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I hope I still have plenty to give in an international shirt," said Biggar.

"I would love to edge towards 100 caps and that would be a heck of an achievement if I could creep up towards that milestone."

On his chances of making the Lions tour of South Africa in 2021, Biggar said: "Anything else is a bonus from there because if I am playing well for Northampton and being selected for Wales all I can do is chuck my name in the hat for whatever is coming up.

"Who knows what is round the corner and this pandemic has proved that.

"I just want to throw my name into contention.

"It is down to somebody else for selection."

Related topics: