Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar will make his first start for Wales today with a glowing endorsement from captain Ryan Jones ringing in his ears.
Wales face Canada at York University Stadium in the first of two one-off Tests in North America, the second coming a week later against the USA in Chicago.
Biggar, 19, has already faced the Canucks, having come on as a 19th-minute replacement for club-mate James Hook in the hard-fought 34-13 victory in Cardiff last November.
That has been his only cap to date but with both Hook and Stephen Jones on Lions duty in South Africa, Biggar has been given the nod ahead of the more experienced Nicky Robinson of Cardiff to fill the number 10 shirt.
Captain Jones had no hesitation in putting his faith in the teenager.
“I live just down the road from Dan and I’ve become very close to him over the last few months,” Jones said.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for him, I think he’s a hugely talented kid and he’s got an old head on young shoulders.
“He’s really thrived and grown this week with that responsibility and with the honour of starting for his country and I’m sure he’s a guy who’s going to be around for a really long time.
“I think he’s a complete player at 19 years of age. He’s not afraid to shout and point fingers and tell people where they’re going wrong and that’s what you want from your 10.
“I’m sure he’ll be at the centre of everything that’s good about our game on the weekend.”
Jones said Biggar had the maturity and temperament to play a pivotal role in a half-back partnership with veteran scrum-halves Gareth Cooper, who starts alongside him, and Dwayne Peel, who is the back-up tomorrow.
“He’s 19 going on 35 and you’ve only got to spend 10 minutes in his company to realise that,” Jones said.
“He’s extremely level-headed, it hasn’t gone to his head and it hasn’t changed him. He’s extremely focused and driven on what he wants to achieve and he’s one of these fortunate kids that’s got the ability to back it up as well.
“It’s a great honour for him and I’m sure he’s going to excel.”
