Ospreys boss Scott Johnson appreciates Dan Biggar's skills

Ospreys fly-half Biggar was man of the match in the victory over Biarritz

Scott Johnson has hit back at Dan Biggar's critics insisting the Ospreys fly-half is not appreciated in Wales and was "born in the wrong country."

The Ospreys director of coaching thinks Biggar suffers due to Wales' obsession with flamboyant footballing fly-halves.

Biggar was overlooked for Wales' World Cup squad and has not featured for Warren Gatland's team since the 16-16 draw against Fiji in November 2010.

"Daniel epitomises the qualities of a top national 10," said Johnson.

"He's a diligent kid just born in the wrong country sadly."

Biggar has won eight caps for his country since making his debut as a 19-year-old replacement against Canada in November 2008.

His Wales opportunities have been limited with Stephen Jones, James Hook and, more recently, Rhys Priestland selected ahead of him.

But the 22-year-old has been in impressive form this season and his 23-point haul in Ospreys' 28-21 opening Heineken Cup pool win over Biarritz on Saturday was his latest man-of-the-match performance.

Biggar has averaged almost 16 points a game this term and could be in line for a Wales recall for their Millennium Stadium Test against Australia on 3 December as Hook is unavailable.

And former Wales coach Johnson believes Biggar would be lauded in any other country.

"Wales has this fascination with certain types of 10s," said Johnson.

"They look at these number 10s as being something else. It's this false love affair because selectors don't pick the same way.

"We're going back a long time before you have the so-called flairy type 10s.

"Stephen Jones, who has won 100 Test caps, and Neil Jenkins don't fit into that type of category but they have stood Wales in pretty good stead as a nation."

Cliff Morgan, Barry John and Jonathan Davies were extravagant Welsh fly-halves and Johnson feels for Biggar.

He said: "He would probably be very well respected in any other country for his deeds on the pitch.

"You try and be typical for a position but kids come in all different sizes, shapes, they all have different qualities and they can all play different ways.

"Rhys [Priestland] is not what you would call a flairy type of player but he did wonderfully well in the World Cup.

"A fly-halves job is he's a leader, he's the caller and he does that first and foremost.

"Even when you look at talented kids like [Australia fly-half] Quade Cooper, there's room in the game for them.

"What we all strive for is the perfect 10. But I've been in this game a while and there's imperfection in just about every player."

And Johnson maintains Biggar is more than just a goal-kicker.

"I think he's been playing pretty good footy too," he added.

"It's really important just to have the kid in our team. The goal kicking is a bonus to everything else.

"We're just very lucky to have the lad here."