We have to start putting a longer-term plan for the team in place, so these are all factors we have considered in making this decision.
There is also a reduction in marquee players from two to one, which presents an additional challenge in building a balanced and competitive squad.
“It has been well documented that for this season and next, the salary cap for Premiership clubs is lower than it was previously. So, when we are successful and win a major trophy, Dan’s fingerprints will be all over that. “The likes of Lewis Ludlam, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Alex Coles and Fraser Dingwall have all captained the side in recent times and are now very important leaders for us, but they have all leaned on and learnt from Biggs – who is top class in training and generous with his time. We’re now at a point where we believe we should be competing at the business end of major competitions, with a number of leaders within the squad who were just coming through when Dan arrived. He has been a major part of the rebuild of the team. “When he came to Saints back in 2018, we were a club in transition and there was a lot of expectation on him. We could see that from when he first arrived and won the Blakiston Challenge – an event he easily could have skipped or coasted as a senior player – but he pushed himself as hard as he could which speaks volumes about his character. “He loves pressure, and he loves to compete. “Dan’s quality as a player is obvious he’s a British & Irish Lion, a 100-cap Wales international, a leader who cares about the team,” said Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
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