Dan Biggar has backed Wales to display fighting qualities in adversity after their Rugby World Cup preparations took a severe double hit.
Medical updates are awaited on full-back Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb after they suffered potentially serious injuries during Wales’ final tournament warm-up Test against Millennium Stadium visitors Italy.
Although Wales won 23-19 following a disjointed display, the result appeared immaterial as Halfpenny (knee) and Webb (ankle) – 78 caps between them and proven match-winning prowess in their lockers – left the pitch on medical carts.
Halfpenny will undergo a scan on his right knee today amid fears of ligament damage while Webb has a possible ankle ligament injury.
The diagnosis could prove to be bleak for both players, but fly-half Biggar knows it must be a case of onwards and upwards with Wales’ opening World Cup game against Uruguay only a fortnight away.
Asked whether it was a worst-case scenario for Wales, Biggar said: “Yes it is. Just a couple of weeks before the tournament starts, we have two injuries to two key players. It’s disappointing and frustrating, and we will have to see how they pull up before commenting further, but it does not look good.
“We are going to have to do it the hard way now, but we have a lot of character in the squad and a fair few winners.
“We are going to have to call on all that experience and to do something special. We are a team when we have our backs against the wall we come out swinging better.”
In the event of Halfpenny missing out on the World Cup – he has amassed 508 points in 62 games for Wales – Biggar will undoubtedly assume main goal-kicking responsibility.
“If Leigh is out injured, I will probably step up,” he added.
“I like to goal-kick, and it’s frustrating when you don’t, but the quality of Leigh speaks for itself.
“I will just try to do the best for the team. I have done my best as a kicker over the years, but I am not going to measure myself against anyone. I will work as hard as I can and help the team.”
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Wales’ stop-start Italian job provided a stark contrast to their victory over reigning Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin seven days previously, although – injuries apart – it meant little in terms of the bigger World Cup picture.
“We missed three open goals in terms of scoring tries, and if we had taken those chances then maybe we would have had more control,” Biggar said.
“We have to give them (Italy) credit because they made a mess of the breakdown and their set-piece was dominant. We found it tough going, but we found a way to win as well, which was pleasing.”
