By Paul Jones
Dan Biggar will become the ninth Welsh player to play 100 Tests when he reaches the three-figure milestone against Scotland on Saturday.
The Wales captain won his 96th cap in Dublin against Ireland and he also played in three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa last summer.
His debut came against Canada in 2008 when he was still a teenager and he was a Grand Slam winner with Wales in 2019 and a championship winner in 2013 and 2021.
Also waiting in the wings to reach three-figures is Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies. He currently has 93 Welsh caps to his credit and six Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions.
Wales coach Wayne Pivac paid tribute to both players when he said: “To get a hundred Test matches in total for any player from any country, it’s just a magnificent achievement.
“It shows the hard work and dedication they have put in and the sacrifice they have made over a number of years to get to this stage.
“I’m very, very happy for both of those players to achieve it and to do it on the same day. They’ve played a lot of Test matches together in the past – it’s just going to be fantastic to see them both out there at some stage.”
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Biggar says: “I was never ‘the next big thing’. There was no Marcus Smith kind of introduction.
“I came in very much as third choice. I started the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2010.
“I was 19 years old and I walked into that changing room to ask Dan Carter for his shirt. I’ve still got it up on the wall.
“The boys joke that he used my jersey to clean his car the next day! I didn’t put that jersey in the hotel wash because I was worried it wouldn’t come back.
“I kept a stinking jersey all tour and gave it to my mum to wash when I got back!
“I didn’t play much for a couple of years after that and I’m pretty proud to have come back from that. To be pushing onto 100 caps now, I must have done something right.
“In Wales, the No 10 always gets stick. I’ve had it for 10 years and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of being written off.
“There’s always somebody better than you. You get slated and people want somebody else in, but you’ve just got to ride it out and stick at it. I’m proud of how I’ve done that and stayed fit.
“Don’t get me wrong, there have been times when I could’ve just knocked it on the head. In 2017, I remember sitting in the kitchen with my wife Alex thinking, “Why do I bother with this?” But I’ve never lost the desire. I love it. I love playing for Wales.
Alun Wyn Jones 161🏴149🦁12
Gethin Jenkins 134🏴129🦁5
Stephen Jones 110🏴104🦁6
George North 105🏴102🦁3
Martyn Williams 104🏴100🦁4
Gareth Thomas 103🏴100🦁3
Adam Jones 100🏴95🦁5
Leigh Halfpenny 100🏴96🦁4
Mike Phillips 99🏴94🦁5
Jonathan Davies 99🏴93🦁6
Dan Biggar 99🏴96🦁3— ジャスミン🏴🏉 (@BCymru) February 10, 2022
“I’ve always wanted to get to 100 caps and to play at the next World Cup. I’ll never go down as the most skilful player that’s played for Wales by any stretch.
“There will always be comparisons to Phil Bennett, Barry John, Jonathan Davies. Amazing players.
“But I’d like to think that in terms of desire, application, fight, toughness and sticking it out that I’d be near the top of the charts.”
Gareth Thomas was the first Welsh player to reach 100 caps both overall and for Wales.
He notched his century against France on 26 August 2007 in a warm-up game for the World Cup and then reached double figures for Wales in the tournament game against Fiji in Nantes a month later in what was his final international appearance.
Meanwhile, Owen Watkin is chomping at the bit to get stuck into Scotland this weekend having been selected to start in the number 13 shirt for Wales.
The Ospreys centre missed out on selection for last summer’s test series against Argentina, and the autumn internationals. But the 25-year-old has forced his way back into Wayne Pivac’s squad with several outstanding performances for the Ospreys.
Today’s #ThrowbackThursday brought to you by this beauty of a tackle from Owen Watkin 💪
Watkin’s last start for the @WelshRugbyUnion was in this game against @Scotlandteam in last year’s Championship 👀 pic.twitter.com/kog1mmnAjX
— Ospreys (@ospreys) February 10, 2022
“I’m just grateful to be back in the squad,” he said. “Wayne, Stephen and Gethin gave me work-ons to do and I feel I’ve implemented them into my game at the Ospreys.
“They’ve stuck to their word and picked me in the squad. I’ve worked hard on aspects of my game and it’s come through now.
“Beardy (Adam Beard) was a prime example for me. He wasn’t picked in the autumn and then he was a Lion by the autumn.
“He’s someone who got left out and was disappointed. But that character and determination to work hard got him back.
“I followed in his footsteps and I’m fortunate to now be back in the squad.” Watkin will line up alongside Nick Tompkins in midfield, and will be up against a formidable Scotland centre partnership of Sione Tuipulotu, and Chris Harris.
Watkin is confident he can hit it off with Saracens man Tompkins, and is hoping to show his class in attack at the Principality Stadium this Saturday. “Nick’s a great player,” said Watkin.
“For Sarries, he plays a lot at 12. Obviously I play a bit of both.
Congratulations to the 7⃣ Ospreys named in the @WelshRugbyUnion side to face @Scotlandteam this weekend, including @jacmogs7 who’s set for his International debut 🏴
Llongyfarchiadau i chi gyd 🙌#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/8YOFKI8oMB
— Ospreys (@ospreys) February 10, 2022
“We get on and it’s the sort of combination where you’ve got to click quickly otherwise it’ll be a tough day at the office. Training’s gone well this week and we’re looking forward to putting on a show on Saturday.
“Wayne and Stephen told me I needed more positive moments with the ball which I agreed with. I’m pretty solid in defence, but I needed more flair in attack.
“Playing for the Ospreys this year, I’ve got my hands on the ball a lot more. I feel I’ve delivered what they asked for which has given me the chance to get back into the squad.”