The Outside-Half Factory

It’s not a report than can be documented often, but there is somewhat of an embarrassment of riches in the Welsh rugby game at the moment. The flamboyant Scott Johnson has come out in the press revealing that he thinks his protégé, Dan Biggar, was born in the wrong country and that he isn’t appreciated by Wales. Many have criticized the 22 year old over the past two seasons, but he must be doing the business on the training paddock at the Ospreys seeing as he ousted James Hook from the 10 shirt to such an extent that he left to Perpignan to get his career at fly-half back on track.

Johnson believes that Biggar is suffering on the Wales backburner down to Wales’ “fascination with certain types of 10s”, referring to the likes of Barry John, Cliff Morgan and Phil Bennett of yesteryear. The Aussie also makes the valid point that the days of the product of Max Boyce’s famous outside-half factory gracing the famous red shirt are a thing of the past.

“You’re going back a long way before you have the so-called flairy type 10s”

Very true, with the exception of Jonathan Davies’ 37 caps between 1987 and 1995, Wales’ outside halves have been much more reserved since the great Phil Bennett’s last game in 1978. His immediate replacement in Gareth Davies is renowned as being Wales’ first kicking fly-half and his 7-year tenure contained little flair. Following Jonathan Davies came Neil Jenkins who was ultimately replaced by Stephen Jones who claimed 87 and 104 (and counting) caps respectively, a point raised by Wales’ former skills coach:

“Stephen Jones & Neil Jenkins don’t fit into that type of category but they have stood Wales in pretty good stead as a nation.”

James Hook can be the only exception and although his early international career was blazed with glory, his recent performances in the hallowed jersey left much to be desired. The selectors in the professional modern era have opted for a more sturdy, point-accumulating figure; much like the Ospreys talisman, Dan Biggar.

Why is it then, that he finds himself at 4^th on the pecking order? His big-game temperament has come under scrutiny, but he went some way to silence those critics when he produced a match winning 23-point haul against Biarritz on the opening weekend of the Heineken Cup. This isn’t a one off either with the Swansea-born product averaging a shade less than 16 points a game in the Celtic League. Despite not selecting the ‘traditional’ outside-halves, Wales are still playing a very positive brand of rugby. This is where Biggar finds himself behind the others and unfortunately it’s through no fault of his own.

In spite of having arguably the most talented squad in Europe two or three years ago, The Ospreys still played a monotonic, droning style of rugby. Hugely frustrating for the spectators and pundits alike, but it proved relatively successful down at The Liberty Stadium, producing some regular Celtic silverware. They’re by far the most successful of the Welsh regions, but fall well short of the European elite. The amount of kicking is a constant source annoyance for anyone watching the Neath-Swansea outfit. If we take the 1^st weekend of the Celtic League as an example, the Ospreys were comfortable winners over Leinster at the Liberty Stadium. In open play, they kicked 29 times, passed 125 times and ran the ball 96 times. Compare that with the Blues who travelled away to Edinburgh who kicked 14 times, passed 196 times and ran the ball 112 times. The Dragons were also on the road against the fearsome Munster and even they only kicked the ball 16 times. This paints the picture as to what sort of game they are playing down in Swansea and the orchestrator is Dan Biggar. This may well be what is holding him back in that he’s restrained by his region’s preferred style of play and although his workmanlike kicking talent is admirable, Warren Gatland isn’t able to see him showcase his full array of talents. Without this, it’s unlikely that he’ll be included as a solid, kicking, controlling 10 whilst steady eddy himself, Stephen Jones is still in the fold.

However, the fact that Wales are even in a position to discard Dan Biggar as they have done is somewhat reassuring given the nature of other countries’ fly-half flaws.

If we take the home nations for example, England’s Jonny Wilkinson is under relentless pressure to perform as he has done in the past and Toby Flood is seen to be his predecessor. If these two were simultaneously incapacitated, there aren’t many 10s they could call upon. Owen Farrell is untried and untested at international level, Charlie Hodgson has unfortunately proven that he’s not up to the mark for England. Apart from these Saracens, who else is there? Joe Carlisle, Ryan Davis, Freddy Burns and Joe Ford all show promise, but would the English readers be comfortable with one of these four stepping into the playmaking position for England in the six nations? Probably not. Danny Cipriani was dubbed England’s next 10, but quite ironically he’s being a rebel in Melbourne and the injury-ridden Olly Barkley has shifted into the centre. Not ideal.

The Scottish situation is even worse, first choice Dan Parks wouldn’t make it into any of the other home nations’ squads let alone the starting 15 and their backup is a who’s who of distinctly average rugby players. Duncan Weir, Greig Laidlaw and Ruaridh Jackson are hardly going to make a game-changing appearance from the bench are they?

Ireland have two proven international outside halves in Ronan O’Gara and Jonny Sexton, but with the former’s imminent retirement, who is pushing their way through? Ian Humphries has all the makings of a quality fly-half, but he’s never been exposed to the international stage and at 29, he’s no spring chicken. Apart from him, there’s Connacht’s Niall O’Connor and that’s about as far as it stretches.

In which case, from a Welsh perspective, things are hugely promising. Dan Biggar’s credentials have already been discussed, yet despite only earning 9 caps, Rhys Priestland is the man in possession of the number 10 shirt following his outstanding showing in New Zealand. Behind him, you have Stephen Jones’ 917 test points pushing him all the way and the newly invigorated James Hook who will hope consistent selections in his favoured position will take him back to the form he showed in the 2008 six nations. Consider the way Nicky Robinson has played for Gloucester and Wasps since his move over the bridge and you have the deepest pool of outside halves Wales has seen in some years. With the likes of Jason Tovey and Matthew Morgan shining for the Dragons and Ospreys respectively, the future is bright.

One of the many things in recent years that the Welsh rugby nation has been criticised for is a lack of strength in depth. This is categorically not the case any more. If Dan Biggar had been born in a different era, he may well be right in contention for the jersey, but for now he’s going to have to bide his time and take his opportunity when it comes.

The Welsh outside-half factory may not be churning out the glitzy produce of days gone by, but rather focuses its attention on delivering good, solid internationals en masse.