Standing on his terrace atop the Carqueiranne hillside, Dan Biggar is looking out towards the sailing boats as they catch the sunset cruise down on the ocean. St Tropez is 30 miles to the east and the Stade Mayol is an eight-mile drive to the west. Every now and then, small planes buzz overhead from the local airport where Biggar landed to sign his contract.
The red carpet was rolled out to finalise his move from Northampton. Dan Biggar is relishing his new surroundings in the picturesque Carqueiranne having joined Toulon. Champagne and Pringles! It sounds pretentious but it was a cool experience. South of France. The rainfall has made way for sparkling winter sun. A French vocabulary book is on the table, as he becomes familiar with the language and embarks on a fresh challenge in Toulon. Wales fly-half joined the French giants after four years with Northampton Saints in England.
He did not make any bones about the impact France's higher salary cap had on his decision. Otherwise I just stick on Tipping Point! This last couple of months have taught me that anything can happen; the way the Premiership and the Welsh regions are. There are a few familiar faces close by. Bobby Stridgeon, the Wales strength and conditioning coach, also lives a couple of blocks away and calls in for dinner during the interview. Biggar's young family will join him in France in - as he admitted to watching Lupin in French to speed up his learning of the language.
Biggar also referenced the status of the game in France compared to in England - saying they had over 30, in on a Sunday night at Bordeaux. They had 33, on a Sunday night in Bordeaux. No one turns up to those games in the UK, do they? Warren Gatland will take back the Wales coaching reins during the Six Nations and the No 10 is hoping to be part of his plans.
So, was he surprised to see Wayne Pivac sacked months out from the World Cup? I had this conversation with Bobby. People can stick that wherever they want. We probably overachieved between and and got used to winning big games. That set the expectations when Wayne came in. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has said more top players could leave English rugby. Under Gats we would have the odd low point but we were pretty consistent. Did it feel like change was needed?
