Dan Biggar: 'Captaincy won't change me as a person or a player'
- Published
Alun Wyn Jones is recovering from a shoulder injury he picked up against New Zealand in the autumn Tests
Dan Biggar says he is proud to lead Wales in the upcoming Six Nations, but insists it will not change him "as a person or a player".
Biggar takes over the reins from Alun Wyn Jones as Wales begin their title defence away to Ireland on 5 February.
"I'm really pleased that Wayne [Pivac] called me on Sunday evening and offered it to me," he said.
"I didn't want it to become all about me or change me as a person with the lads or anything like that."
Biggar admits he took a "fair bit of stick" from his team mates when the announcement was made on Tuesday, but now he is "really excited" to get going.
Biggar says hearing the news he would captain his country was a proud moment for him and his whole family.
"It's been a strange 48 hours. I was tipped the wink on Monday night," Biggar told BBC Radio Northampton.
"It's a short-term solution with a lot of boys out injured and a lot of senior boys missing.
"I am still really proud to be asked, to be seen in that regard by the coaches and it is something I'm looking forward to. I am really proud."
Biggar was happy to share the news with his overjoyed grandparents.
"My wife has been giving me some banter about it and I phoned my grandparents and told them and they said it was their dream," he said.
"They are as happy as me and they phoned all their neighbours, so I was worried it was going to get leaked! Thankfully it didn't."
As well as losing the skipper Jones' unrivalled international experience, Wales will also be without Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, George North and Leigh Halfpenny - a combined total of 724 Test caps.
"Obviously we've lost a lot of experience and a lot of caps in the lads who are missing, but that presents an opportunity for young lads, or boys in that middle tier to really step up and show leadership qualities," added Biggar.
