Six Nations 2018: Wales star Dan Biggar BINGED on box sets to recover for Ireland clash
DAN BIGGAR has revealed the secret of his amazing Six Nations recovery: 900 minutes in an oxygen chamber and every element of US law you can imagine.
The 28-year-old Welsh out-half was expected to miss the first three rounds of this year’s tournament after suffering a shoulder injury in the Ospreys’ European Champions Cup defeat to Clermont Auvergne last month.
But he is back to start for this Saturday’s crucial Celtic clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium thanks to the cutting-edge injury treatment.
Biggar had 10 90-minute sessions in the chamber to speed up his recovery and passed the time by watching series seven of the American legal mini-series Suits.
“I couldn’t have done any more to make sure I was ready,” said Biggar. “Fingers crossed everything goes well this week and on the weekend.
“My iPad was fully stacked with things to watch but it was pretty monotonous day in day out but it was for the greater cause.
“Even if it gave one percent extra in terms of recovery it was worth it. Basically, you just sit there, you have a mask on and not much goes on in there.”
The pressurised chamber sends more oxygen to injured areas to reduce swelling and pain, while killing bacteria to prevent infection. Biggar was able to binge on his favourite box-sets while the machine worked its magic to repair the tissue around the area damaged by Clermont powerhouse Fritz Lee.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has seen enough to include his No10 general from the start to set up a mouthwatering battle between him and his British and Irish Lions team-mate Johnny Sexton.
“I may drop Johnny a line before the game,” said Biggar. “But hopefully we’ll have a good catch up on Saturday – after I’ve finished on the winning side.
“He’s an absolutely fantastic player. You see how important he is for Ireland and Leinster.
I may drop Johnny Sexton a line before the game
“He is a vital cog, along with Conor Murray, so we know we are up against two of the best in the business.”
Biggar is one of three Lions who return to the starting XV alongside back-three colleagues Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams.
But Ireland will be missing one of their own in front-row linchpin Tadhg Furlong, who has not recovered from a hamstring injury in time for the Aviva Stadium showdown.
Leinster tighthead Andrew Porter is set to fill the void and Biggar is determined to take advantage to get their title bid back on track.
Scuffle between England and Wales during Six Nations clash
He said: “Any Six Nations match is extremely special anyway but when you play a top team like Ireland away from home, we know it’s almost like a cup final for us.
“We have a very good record in Dublin under Gats. But we are fully aware that it’s going to be a huge challenge in terms of the experience Ireland have and knowing them inside out.
“If you lose it’s going to be very difficult to finish on top in the tournament – but if you win, you’ve got two home games to come against Italy and France and you have set yourself up incredibly well. That’s the biggest carrot for us.”