Six Nations: Dan Biggar calls on Wales to build on back-to-back titles

The Welsh thrashed England to claim title in Cardiff

Andrew Baldock
Monday 18 March 2013 07:11 EDT
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The injured Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins of Wales lift the Six Nations Championship trophy
The injured Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins of Wales lift the Six Nations Championship trophy (Getty Images)

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Dan Biggar has underlined the importance of Wales pushing on from their second successive RBS 6 Nations title-winning campaign.

Wales did not beat another Test-playing country last year after winning the Grand Slam in March, suffering four defeats in a row against Australia, while also losing to New Zealand, Argentina and Samoa.

With Wales' Lions contingent in Australia this summer now likely to run into double figures, there will be a potential developmental feel among their squad for the two-Test Japan trip in June.

But 2013 ends with another demanding autumn series - South Africa are among their Millennium Stadium visitors in November - and fly-half Biggar knows momentum must be continued towards the next World Cup in just over two years' time.

"It is important we enjoy the success because rugby sometimes throws up some bad times when you have to close the curtains on a Sunday," said Biggar, following a 30-3 demolition of England.

"But you have to think about the good times, and it is important we build on that now.

"Sometimes when a team wins a trophy or has some success, they can rest on their laurels, but it is important we push on from here."

Wales' Six Nations season almost appeared beyond repair when they trailed Ireland 30-3 just after half-time in their opening game, but three away wins on the bounce and a record victory over England saw mission improbable achieved.

"After half-time against Ireland nobody gave us a prayer," Biggar added.

"We were very poor in that first half against Ireland, but we were also very good in the second half, which gave us confidence, and then it was about getting the wins away from home.

"In Paris, Rome and Edinburgh it was all about winning, otherwise the final game against England would have been irrelevant. It was great to finish off in a positive way.

"We have to thank the coaches for the confidence they showed in us after selecting us for every week. The boys have repaid that faith."

Wales cut loose in the second period against England, scoring 21 unanswered points as they dominated all key areas of the contest and several players - Biggar included - enhanced their Lions prospects.

A minimum seven-point margin was the target before kick-off to secure silverware for Wales, but in the end they won emphatically.

"We knew what we had to do before the game, but if you had asked us beforehand that we would score 30 points against England, we would have not believed you," Biggar said.

"That second-half performance was almost perfect.

"We ground out three victories away from home, and while it might not have been everyone's cup of tea, it was winning rugby. To then follow it up with a perfect performance at home in front of our fans is a perfect way to finish the campaign."

PA

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