One in every of my biggest achievements in my Wales profession was lasting for 15 years because the squad’s laundry man. My position was to ensure that once we have been away on tour, everybody’s washing bought achieved. That got here to an finish following my retirement in 2023.
Now, it’s Dan Edwards who has taken over the job. Not solely that, Dan can also be a No 10 like me, and from Swansea having come by way of the system on the Ospreys.
The similarities are uncanny!
So, it was nice to sit down down with him at Wales’ crew lodge in Good on Tuesday to get to know him higher. I hadn’t spoken to Dan earlier than doing so. He’s a brand new face to the squad.
The very first thing I needed to inform him was about how critically I took the laundry job and that I hoped he was doing the identical! ‘I feel it’s going OK,’ Dan informed me.
‘I’m feeling much more assured day-by-day and attending to know everybody loads higher. I used to be very nervous first coming into the atmosphere.
Dan Edwards (left) has inherited Dan Biggar’s position as Wales’ laundry man for the present aspect
Edwards made his debut in Wales heavy 43-0 defeat by France within the Six Nations curtain-raiser
Biggar sat down together with his fellow fly half at Wales’ crew lodge in Good to get to know him higher
‘I’ve simply been attempting to be taught as a lot as doable from the skilled boys.’
Dan is now a full worldwide after making his Wales debut final Friday night time within the heavy 43-0 defeat by France. His Take a look at bow additionally got here in weirdly comparable trend to mine.
In November 2008, I got here off the bench for my debut in opposition to Canada far sooner than deliberate after James Hook was injured. The identical factor occurred to Dan in Paris, when centre Owen Watkin went down with a knee drawback and he got here on with Ben Thomas transferring to midfield. I by no means had the time to get nervous and it suited me effectively. It was the identical for Dan.
‘I bought on loads sooner than I anticipated with Owen going off,’ he stated. ‘I made a joke on the bench as if to say: “Right here we go then” after which I used to be on.
‘It in all probability made issues just a little bit simpler for me as I didn’t have time to consider it.
‘Worldwide rugby is a step up with the tempo of the sport. The variations from membership degree are large. I are typically fairly assured on the sector. Off the sector, I’m completely different – calmer and quieter. With the Ospreys, I’ve taken numerous confidence from the final 12 months.
‘Though I’m new to the Welsh set-up and nonetheless studying, I wish to put my stamp on issues and play the best way I wish to play.
‘While you have a look at the gamers who’ve performed within the 10 jersey earlier than and chatting with you right here now, you realise how huge the shirt is. It’s the one everybody needs to put on.
Biggar’s debut in 2008 noticed him thrown in sooner than anticipated with James Hook coming off
Edwards’ debut got here below comparable circumstances after a knee damage suffered by Owen Watkin
‘I do know you need to be ready to take some stick. Individuals have completely different opinions. Nevertheless it’s about having a rhino pores and skin and simply getting on with it. I must do what I feel is correct.’
At 21, Dan remains to be very, very younger. And he’s come right into a Wales aspect that’s struggling badly having misplaced their final 13 Checks – an unlucky run which is a report for the nation.
It’s an actual distinction to after I got here into the crew.
I used to be massively lucky to enter a proficient Welsh squad that was profitable. That’s not the case now, however what I’ve heard about Dan is that he’s actually bought one thing about him.
He’s bought a little bit of swagger. A little bit of an edge.
I like that. It’s one thing I’d wish to suppose I had in my sport and it’s undoubtedly true you want that to thrive on the highest degree. What this Wales crew wants now as a lot nearly as good rugby gamers is huge characters. It’s unfair to ask an excessive amount of of Dan given he’s nonetheless very younger, however he can doubtlessly be a kind of sooner or later. So, what’s his greatest power?
‘Jesus Biggs! You’re placing me on the spot there,’ he stated.
‘I’d say it’s my capacity to overlook a mistake and get on with it. As a ten, as you realize, you may miss a kick and everybody will hammer you. However you should put it to the again of your thoughts and transfer on. My perspective is that you need to take the shot.
Edwards has come right into a Wales aspect that’s struggling badly having misplaced their final 13 Checks
The younger Welsh worldwide has a swagger, a little bit of an edge – one thing key to thriving within the worldwide sport
‘You’re not going to get it for those who don’t attempt.’
These types of phrases are music to my ears.
Dan is pushing onerous to begin at fly-half for Wales in opposition to Italy. It’s a must-win sport for the crew as a result of in the event that they have been to lose, there’s a superb likelihood it may very well be one other winless Six Nations. Such a state of affairs would doubtless imply Warren Gatland will depart as coach.
There was excellent news for Wales from the Cote d’Azur on Tuesday, with key forwards Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright each in coaching forward of dealing with Italy.
Faletau is one in all Wales’ greatest ever however he missed the France sport with a knee damage. His fellow back-row Wainwright suffered a critical facial minimize in opposition to Les Bleus.
Wales hope each gamers shall be obtainable for Rome.
For me, the Italy-Wales sport is a flip-of-the-coin tie. It guarantees to be actually, actually tight and it might go both method. Italy are favourites with dwelling benefit.
‘Cwmavon is my dwelling membership. I performed there since I used to be 5,’ Dan informed me. ‘I like the membership and so does my household. I’d play rugby on the weekends and cricket within the week.
Warren Gatland’s aspect journey to Rome in want of a outcome in opposition to Italy to kickstart their marketing campaign
Taulupe Faletau is one in all Wales’ greatest ever however he missed the France sport with a knee damage
‘I’ve all the time cherished my sport. With my cricket, I used to be a batsman and I did a little bit of wicket holding too. I had just a few of the Cwmavon boys come to Paris, however they’re all in for Rome.
‘It might imply loads to me personally and to my household to get the No 10 shirt.
‘It’s one thing I’ve all the time needed. I’m right here within the squad now, however I’m nonetheless striving to make it my very own. It’s a dream come true to be right here, however I can’t simply be pleased with that. I’ve been anticipating the final 12 months and actually felt for the boys.
‘I understand how determined they’ve been to win. We are able to’t be afraid. Our confidence has been a bit low, however we’ve bought to get it proper again up.
‘Warren has tried to offer me confidence. He informed me why he’s picked me within the squad and that he’s seen me enhance within the final six months. He informed me I’ve been picked for a motive.
‘Everyone knows how large a sport it’s this weekend. It’s not the place we wish to be in, however it’s the elephant within the room and we are able to’t ignore it. We’ve got to handle it.
‘We are able to’t go into our shells and tighten up. We have to play with freedom. We’ve bought to handle the sport effectively but when it’s on to go, we have now to go.
‘An important factor this weekend is the outcome. It’s Take a look at match rugby on the finish of the day. Everyone knows it’s in regards to the end result. We’ve got to win. We’ve got to.’
