LONDON — Dan Biggar will captain title-holders Wales
during the Six Nations in place of the injured Alun Wyn Jones, the
Welsh Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.
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Veteran lock Jones is one of several high-profile absentees,
with fellow British and Irish Lions players George North, Leigh Halfpenny,
Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi and Ken Owens all currently
sidelined through injury.
But flanker Ross Moriarty, who has been sidelined with a
shoulder problem, has been included in Wales head coach Wayne Pivac's 36-man
squad.
The group includes three uncapped players -- hooker Dewi
Lake and flanker Jac Morgan, both from Ospreys, and Cardiff number eight James Ratti.
Jones has undergone two shoulder operations since being hurt
during Wales' Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand in October.
Biggar is set to lead Wales for the first time in the
opening game of their Six Nations title defense against Ireland in Dublin on
February 5. Ospreys lock Adam Beard will be Biggar's vice-captain.
Another five players could be in line to make their Six
Nations bows -- a list that includes Exeter forward Christ Tshiunza and Ulster
hooker Bradley Roberts.
Pivac said Biggar, 32, would play an important role.
"With the experience missing, we wanted someone who had
experienced the competition on a number of occasions and knows the rigors of
it.”
"He gives us that. He has 95 Wales caps and he has
toured with the British and Irish Lions,” he said
"Dan has the respect of the other players and
management, so we think he will do a great job."
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