...so who's better Biggar or S exton...??...it's a toss up..
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-2016-dan-biggar-10690462
It’s just a month before Wales’ Six Nations opener against Ireland which will pit Europe’s two finest outside-halves against each other as Johnny Sexton faces Dan Biggar.
And there could be a mouthwatering warm-up confrontation this Friday when Sexton’s Leinster arrive in Swansea to tackle Biggar’s Ospreys in the Guinness Pro12 match at the Liberty Stadium on Friday evening.
Dan Biggar of Wales is tackled by Jonny Sexton of IrelandREAD MORE: When will Wales' Six Nations squad be announced?
Sexton had suffered a dead leg in the victory over Connacht last weekend but Leinster are hopeful he will prove his fitness.
There is a Lions tour of New Zealand looming on the horizon next year so this could be a couple of early occasions for the opposing outside-halves to set down a marker and get one over on their rivals.
So how do the two decision-makers shape up against each other? Here, Gareth Griffiths takes a look...
FORMBiggar: 9
Sexton: 7
Biggar has enjoyed a stunning 12 months which included an excellent World Cup where he orchestrated the victory over England at Twickenham.
Steve Pope/ SPORTINGWALES Dan Biggar receives the Wales Sports Personality of the Year award from Nigel OwensHas also been in fine form since he returned to the Ospreys. Sexton was excellent in patches during the World Cup and was sorely missed in the quarter-final defeat against Argentina after he was forced out through injury.
Has been part of a Leinster side who are excelling in the league with five straight wins though they have lost all four of their matches in Europe.
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ATTACKBiggar: 7
Sexton: 8
Wales backs coach Rob Howley had always urged Biggar to improve his attacking threat and the Ospreys outside-half has managed this over the last couple of years.
Ireland's Johnny Sexton scores a try against WalesRELATED: The Wales Six Nations injury bulletin
Sexton made his name as a running Leinster outside-half bringing out the best of the likes of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll early in his career although it can be argued he has become more conservative.
Six Nations 2016
Biggar: 8
Sexton: 7
You will struggle to find a more committed defender to have worn the Wales No.10 jersey than Biggar. Maybe only Stephen Jones can rival him.
Dan Biggar has been in superb form for the Ospreys this seasonSexton will tackle but has suffered from concussion issues over the last few years and every time he makes a heavy challenge, you fear for his health.
Who's the better fly-half?
Biggar: 8
Sexton: 9
Sexton has become a master at the tactical game and can often put the ball anywhere he likes with a series of different kicks.
Getty Images Dan Biggar in action for WalesMORE: The big Six Nations form check on the Welsh exiles
Biggar also prides himself on his tactical kicking nous and often drives the Ospreys and Wales forward.
Biggar has also perfected working his team into handing him a drop-goal opportunity.
Video: The Biggarena was one of the funny points of last year's World Cup
Biggar: 9
Sexton: 7
What Biggar really excels at is the aerial bombardment and he often collects his own kick to set up attacks.
Dan Biggar goes aerial against ScotlandRELATED: The contenders to be Wales' full-back against Ireland
This was most evident in the World Cup quarter-final defeat against South Africa where he set up a try for his half-back partner Gareth Davies.
Sexton will often be the kicking creator these days rather than the hunter gatherer.
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GOALKICKINGBiggar: 9
Sexton: 8
Both players have kept their teams in matches and indeed won games with their metronomic accuracy at goal.
Ireland's Johnny Sexton kicks to touchWales fans will recall Biggar’s nerveless match-winning World Cup penalty against England and his title winning conversion against Leinster for the Ospreys a couple of years ago.
And you also get the ‘Biggarena’ dance thrown in!
HONOURSBiggar: 7
Sexton: 9
If it’s about medals, medals, medals, then Sexton holds the edge.
Getty Images Sexton is back with Leinster after a spell with Racing MetroMORE: The forgotten Welshman who hasn't given up on Wales
Sexton has won more during his career than his Welsh rival after celebrating being part of three Heineken Cup winning sides, an Irish Grand Slam triumph in 2009 back-to-back Six Nations successes and a Lions Test winning side.
Biggar’s return so far has been more moderate with two league titles and an Anglo-Welsh triumph with the Ospreys and being part of the 2013 Six Nations triumph with Wales.
But he can boast the 2015 BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year accolade.
X-FACTORBiggar: 8
Sexton: 9
After the Welsh rugby public first struggled to warm to him, Biggar has become a bit of a cult figure especially following the World Cup.
Sexton is one of Ireland’s go-to men and is sorely missed when he is injured.
LEADERSHIPBiggar: 9
Sexton: 8
Biggar is a born winner who demands the best from all of his team-mates with his emotions occasionally still boiling over.
Dan Biggar was Wales' number one goal kicker at the World CupMORE: Liam Williams to return from injury just one week before Six Nations opener
He is the driving force of the Ospreys side alongside Alun Wyn Jones and a key decision maker for Warren Gatland.
Sexton is Joe Schmidt’s on-field conductor who implements the game plan and determines how Ireland and Leinster play.
EXPERIENCEBiggar: 8
Sexton: 9
The 30-year-old Irish maestro is more than four years older than his Welsh rival so it’s no surprise he has played 17 more Tests than Biggar with 56 matches compared to 39.
Sexton also has three Lions Test caps to his name after his part in the 2013 series success in Australia.
Sexton has also experienced a more diverse career having experienced life in the French Top 14 with Racing Metro.
But Biggar has youth on his side and has been an established international performer now for a couple of seasons.
TotalsBiggar: 82
Sexton: 81
