Biggar dropped from Wales squad

The 22-year-old, who helped steer the Ospreys to the Pro 12 title, started in Saturday's 30-21 win over the Barbarians in what was Wales' final run-out before they travel to Australia for a three-Test series with the Wallabies later this month.

 

Biggar left the field during the second half with what seemed to be a shoulder injury.

 

But Howley, himself a former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrumhalf, said there was never any question of this match amounting to an 'audition' to provide back up to Test No.10 Rhys Priestland as he'd told Biggar in midweek he wouldn't be travelling to Australia.

 

"Having spoken to Dan throughout the week we have been mindful of the motivation for the BaaBaas game as well as the travel logistics for going to Australia," Howley said.

 

"We spoke to some of the senior players in terms of guidance of when you actually tell a player he is not going on tour.

 

"Is it now on the Saturday after the emotion of a Test match or on the Tuesday or Wednesday when they will have time to reflect as obviously it is a huge disappointment," Howley added.

 

The other four players dropped from Howley's original 38-man squad are centre Adam Warren, prop Ryan Bevington, wing Will Harries and flank Martyn Williams, who won his 100th and final cap for his country as a second-half replacement against the Barbarians, following the Welsh Rugby Union's controversial decision to give the match with the invitational side full Test status.

 

In Biggar's absence, the versatile James Hook will compete with Priestland for a starting role, and it was the Perpignan man's ability to also play at centre and fullback which proved decisive in Howley's selection process.

 

"Dan has been one of the form players in the Pro12," said Howley, in temporary charge while Wales's Six Nations Grand Slam-winning boss Warren Gatland recovers from injuries suffered while falling off a ladder in his native New Zealand.

 

"But James Hook, in terms of the two 10s and the schedule we have got, can play, 10, 12, 13 and 15 and when you are going on a tour of the magnitude of going to the other side of the world to Australia you need flexibility of selection," Howley explained. "It is no reflection on Dan's form.

 

"We have spoken to him about his game management but sometimes it is a numbers game and it is about flexibility when it comes to selecting a squad to go to Australia."

 

Wales were beaten by the Wallabies, 21-8, in last year's World Cup third place playoff in Auckland and there was still time before 2011 was out for them to suffer a 24-18 defeat by Australia in Cardiff in December.

 

The Welsh haven't beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1969.