Dan Biggar: The Bigger Picture

On the pitch, Dan Biggar is the ultimate competitor: brash, aggressive and forthright. His conduct – remonstrating with opponents, challenging referees, chastising teammates – has earned him censure. But off the pitch, he’s one of the most grounded, polite, and sensitive players you’re likely to meet. Having now reached a position where he can look back on his fifteen years at the very pinnacle of test rugby, The Biggar Picture is a frank, illuminating and gripping account from one of rugby’s most compelling figures.

For the first time, Dan take us into the heart of his game, into Wales’ third golden era, and reveal his innermost emotions, offering a rare insight into the contradiction at the heart of his nature. No topic is off limits. Dan discusses the unadulterated joy of becoming the first man to captain Wales to victory on South African soil, to revealing the nature of his relationships with the “genius” Warren Gatland, the “intense” Shaun Edwards, and the power struggles within Wales' most successful ever squad, to the tumbling despair of losing his mother the same year he realised his dream of becoming the starting Lions 10.

The sportsman has teamed up with broadcaster and writer Ross Harries, the man who gave a voice to Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones.

Publication will be accompanied by special events, with the player appearing at signings across the UK. He will also be reading the audiobook himself.

Dan Biggar said: As someone who’s always done my best to avoid the spotlight, I’m enormously excited to finally be able to tell my own story in my own words. Public perceptions of me have often jarred with my private persona, and I see this as an opportunity to present the real me: honest, candid and unvarnished. I’ve been fortunate to be able to retire from international rugby while still at the top of my game, and the time seems right to reflect on what’s been one hell of a ride.

Sara Cywinski, publishing director at Pan Macmillan, comments: ‘Dan has been at the heart of Welsh rugby’s most iconic moments of the past decade, including Wales epic victory over England in the 2015 World Cup, the 2019 Grand Slam, the 2013 Six Nations title and a first ever Welsh victory on South African soil. I don’t think there is a single Welsh rugby fan out there who wouldn’t love to work with and publish Dan Biggar, myself included. What an honour it is to be helping Dan to share his story of life on and off the pitch.

Dan Biggar was born in Morriston, Swansea, and his career began in the Welsh Premiership for his hometown team. He made his Ospreys debut as an eighteen-year-old and became the youngest player ever to play in 100 games for the Ospreys. Since then he has played for the English

Premiership side Northampton and for French heavyweights Toulon.

Dan has been at the heart of Welsh rugby’s most iconic moments of the past decade, including two Grand Slams, a record victory over England, a World Cup semi-final, and a first ever victory on South African soil. He’s toured twice with the British and Irish Lions and started every test in the 2021 series.

In 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award. 

The Biggar Picture is his first autobiography.

Ross Harries is an experienced broadcaster and is regularly seen presenting rugby coverage on the BBC, BT Sport, Premier Sports, Channel 4 and Amazon Prime. He presented the BBC’s Scrum V for a decade.

Ross is also an award-nominated author of Centre Stage: My Life In Rugby (autobiography of Jamie Roberts), Behind the Dragon (a complete oral history of Welsh rugby) and Bomb, the autobiography of Wales centurion Adam Jones.