Dan Biggar puts clubs on alert as the Wales captain confirms that he will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season – potentially ending his international career – as he eyes up a lucrative move to France or Japan
- Northampton Saints’ Dan Biggar will look for a new club at the end of the season
- The 32-year-old fly-half has emerged as a leading figure for club and country
- Biggar joined Northampton from Welsh region Ospreys before 2018-19 season
Dan Biggar has hinted he is set to turn his back on international rugby with Wales and revealed he is open to offers abroad after confirming he will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season.
Fly-half Biggar has been a key figure for club, country and the British & Irish Lions in the last two years and has succeeded Alun Wyn Jones as Wales captain.
The 32-year-old is set to decide his club future in the next 12 months but looks likely to quit the Test arena after next year’s World Cup in France.
Dan Biggar (above) has confirmed he will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season
Biggar has become has become a popular figure with Saints supporters since joining in 2018
‘The end of the World Cup cycle is a good time to be thinking about changes,’ Biggar said. ‘Depending how that pans out and what the offers are, I’ll possibly be looking at something around that time. It’s also about trying to go out on my own terms.’
Biggar is unlikely to be short of offers and said he would be open to looking at moves to either France or Japan should they suit his young family.
Biggar joined Northampton from Welsh region Ospreys ahead of the 2018/19 season and has become a popular figure with Saints supporters.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson admitted the reduction in the Premiership’s salary cap had been an impact in allowing Biggar to move on.
Saints are expected to sign Fin Smith from crisis club Worcester as a long-term playmaker option.
A move abroad could end his Wales career, in a blow to international coach Wayne Pivac
‘I’m open to anything. I will have had five absolutely brilliant years here but I’m not going to shut myself off to any offers if they come,’ Biggar said.
‘I wouldn’t rule out anything but it has to be the right move for me and also my young family. I’ve got two boys and a partner to think about.’
Biggar is poised to be the latest international star to depart the Premiership as the league continues to battle financial problems. All clubs across the division are tightening their belts.
Worcester have already fallen into administration and been suspended from the Premiership for the rest of the season while Wasps are also facing a dicey future.
‘The situation in the English league at the minute isn’t at its healthiest and I know things aren’t as good as they could be in Wales either,’ said Biggar.
Saints are expected to sign Fin Smith from crisis club Worcester as a long-term fly-half option
‘Things can change very quickly as the last few weeks have proven in this league. From a personal point of view, it would be really nice to have an experience and I’m quite open to seeing different parts of the world and different cultures.
‘It really is quite exciting to see what the future holds. I really don’t know what’s going to go on. I’m quite excited to see what arrives.’
Such is Biggar’s importance to Wales that if he moved on after the World Cup, it would leave his country short of No 10 options. Gareth Anscombe, currently with the Ospreys is also expected to move abroad.
Callum Sheedy, Jarrod Evans and Sam Costelow are young Welsh fly-half options. But none possess the immense experience of the 100-cap Biggar who has already held discussions on his future with Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
‘I’ve said to him (Pivac) the aim is to get to the World Cup and see where we are after that,’ Biggar added.