By Joe Mansfield.
WALES have been the subject of much criticism from the Irish press ahead of their opening Six Nations clash but Dan Biggar claims it is falling on deaf ears.
Irish Rugby pundit Ger Gilroy created a real stir this week with his heavily critical comments about Wayne Pivac’s squad. He claimed that Ireland would “thrash” Wales and that “they don’t even merit a mention” on the show that he co-hosts called Off The Ball.
Another line by Gilroy that has really turned heads was “Wales are a rubbish team that we have the opportunity to absolutely annihilate this weekend.”
Those are very bold words about a team that completed the Grand Slam just two years ago. Biggar, who was part of that Six Nations winning squad, dispelled any notion that the comments will affect him or the squad.
“I couldn’t really care less about what is said or written or whatever.
“We have seen it all before anyway so it’s not really going to affect us on Sunday. If anything, it’s hopefully going to add a motivation factor.
“We are hoping that we can do our talking on the field on Sunday and if we don’t then we know that we are going to be judged harshly. But we are trying to block all of that out and just turn up on Sunday with a positive mindset as a playing and coaching group.”
Despite wanting to respond purely with actions on the field Biggar couldn’t refrain from biting back at the critique from ex-players and pundits alike.
“There has been loads and loads of hype about different Irish ex-players or whoever it is, speaking in the press and these sorts of things this week and that’s fine, but a lot of them haven’t played the game for a long, long time and the game moves differently now.
“You know I’m sure all of those players who have made those comments have had a couple of tough days at the office when they were playing.”
Although Biggar dismissed the criticism from across the water, the fly-half urged the Welsh public to get behind the team and wait until after the first two rounds are completed to pass judgment on their capabilities.
“I think it’s very much a case of get behind the team, rather than look to dig the negatives out.
“So, make sure we are behind the team for the first couple of weekends, it does make a huge difference for the lads because everything is on social media and online.
“There are boys in the squad who do take things a little bit more personally. So, I think from a player and a squad point of view we know we are going to be judged on the first couple of weekends.
“But I think the support from outside this camp is hugely influential.”
