Wales v Samoa, Millennium Stadium, November 13
Gatland tips Biggar to excel
Scrum.com
November 11, 2009
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar catches a ball during training at the Vale Hotel, Glamorgan, November 10, 2009
Dan Biggar has been tipped for big things by Warren Gatland © Getty Images
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Wales boss Warren Gatland has tipped Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar as a star for the future after naming the 20-year-old in his starting line-up to face Samoa at the Millennium Stadium on Friday.

Biggar made his international bow during last season's November series and has been pulling the strings for the Ospreys this season, with James Hook taking a place in the centre.

"We need to look at options at 10. Dan has been playing well for the Ospreys, and we want to continue with his development," said Gatland. "We see him as a player who is the next generation of No.10s in Wales.

"He has shown all the right signs of a young 10 who is mature beyond his years. We think he is going to have a significant impact on Welsh rugby."

Biggar is one of five changes from the Wales side that slipped to defeat against New Zealand last weekend, with fellow youngsters Tom James and Sam Warburton also gaining starts. Experienced Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett comes in to the front-row, while Dwayne Peel will add his experience alongside Biggar at scrum-half.

Sale's Peel watched from the stands last weekend after a Premier Rugby ruling meant that English clubs were not bound to release players for the fixture as it fell outside the IRB's sanctioned Test window. The former Scarlets No.9 was hugely frustrated by the decision.

"It was bitterly disappointing, very frustrating," said Peel. "It was a ruling put in place by Premier Rugby. I didn't agree with it, but there was nothing really that could have been done."

Peel also admitted that he was yet to finalise his playing future. His contract with Sale expires at the end of the season but he only has eyes for the next few weeks.

"I haven't really sat down to think about it yet," he said. "I've focused, really, on getting back fit and playing well for Sale. I will worry about that afterwards. It is for me to sit down when the time right is right and discuss it. I will have to speak to a number of people, and go from there.

"I've been really looking forward to having a crack at these autumn games. It's a big opportunity, and the ball is in my court to perform. It is definitely a big few weeks for me."

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