Dan Biggar’s Toulon Return Cut Short in Dramatic Fashion
2 min readIn a worrisome video clip, Dan Biggar, the star fly-half from Wales, had his much-anticipated return to Toulon brutally cut short during a gripping Top 14 encounter against Perpignan this past Saturday evening. Biggar, who had recently donned the Welsh jersey in the Rugby World Cup, could only manage a mere 10 minutes on the field.
This seasoned maestro initially demonstrated his prowess, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in the Perpignan defense. With the team awarded a penalty and the intent to kick to the left, Biggar orchestrated a remarkable cross-field kick to find Charles Ollivon, leading to a brilliant try that propelled Toulon to a 5-3 lead.
However, a heart-wrenching twist unfolded during the subsequent conversion attempt. Just as Biggar was poised to strike the ball, he abruptly crumpled to the ground, wracked by apparent agony. The swift response of the medical team was essential, as they hurried to his aid. Though a stretcher was brought to the scene, Biggar displayed remarkable determination, managing to rise to his feet and hobble off the field.
This poignant incident serves as a stark reminder of Biggar’s recent sentiments, expressed when he announced his retirement prior to the World Cup. He openly acknowledged that the demands of the sport had begun to take a toll on his body, particularly in the past year, making recovery and rest days progressively more challenging.
Enzo Herve valiantly stepped in to fill the void left by Biggar. However, this match would soon be etched into Toulon’s memory as they suffered the ignominy of becoming the first team to succumb to Perpignan this season. Meanwhile, the Italian fly-half, Tommaso Allan, continued to shine as he exhibited his proficiency from the World Cup, contributing four successful penalties and a crucial conversion that sealed a narrow 26-22 victory for Perpignan.
Adding to the intrigue, Rugby World Cup-winning lock, Marvin Orie, made a surprise appearance for Perpignan. Despite the opportunity to join in celebrating the trophy tour back in South Africa, Orie chose to bolster his new club’s efforts, even amidst their recent string of three consecutive losses.