February 6, 2008

Senior England RU places for current Leeds Carnegie players have been few and far between in recent seasons so the selection of wingman Tom Biggs for the England Saxons team to meet Italy A in Ragusa, Sicily on Saturday (February 9, 6.15) is a welcome shot in the arm for elite rugby in Yorkshire.

It is also a well-deserved boost for the 23-year-old. He may be playing his rugby at the unfashionable end of the Guinness Premiership, but anyone who has seen his deadly finishing skills or taken the trouble to check the statistics that underpin his superb form this season will not be the least bit surprised that he has been picked.

The only surprise at Leeds Carnegie is that Biggs did not get the nod for the opening game against Ireland given his scintillating form for a side currently propping up the top section and fighting for their lives.

The former Hymers Grammar School pupil who turned away from a promising career in soccer – Hull City, Leeds United and Newcastle had all shown interest - confesses to his disappointment at missing the first call-up. Now he is more determined than ever to justify what the Leeds supporters firmly believe – that regardless of their current league status, they have possibly the sharpest finisher in the division and a developing talent.

His five league tries and another four in European games emphasise how destructive he can be when given the chance to unleash his electric pace, nimble footwork and pocket-battleship strength.

"I was very disappointed not to be included against Ireland, but I’m delighted to get the chance now," he says. "Being chosen for any England side is a great privilege and being picked for the Saxons means an awful lot to me. It’s fantastic for Leeds Carnegie as well that I’m involved in the Saxons and hopefully it will give all the supporters a lift. I have had lots of texts from the rest of the Leeds squad and everyone is really happy for me.

"There are a few familiar faces in the squad who I have played alongside in junior England squads and obviously Danny Care is in the squad as well. Danny and I have remained good friends since his move to Quins and I'm looking forward to playing alongside him again."
Further proof of the fact that Biggs is in superb condition at the moment comes from the fact that he has missed only two of the 20 games Leeds Carnegie have played this season and that in the process he has become the club’s joint top try-scorer, his touchdown against London Irish taking him to 37.

That is the record tally set by Danny Scarborough before his departure to Saracens and it is a milestone that the Beverley-born Biggs has had firmly in his sights.

"During my student days at Leeds Met I used to watch Leeds and I saw Dan score some magnificent tries," says Biggs. "I knew what was needed at the start of the season to equal the record and now I’m looking to beat it."

Priority this weekend, however, will be to put his full range on skills on show and justify the claims of the Leeds fans that no matter how extensive the exodus of top-class talent from Leeds has been in recent years, the jewel in the crown is still on the payroll.

Such talk, of course, will not distract Biggs ahead of his second trip to Italy this season. His previous visit was in December, when Leeds went down 27-26 at Calvisano having won the previous game seven days earlier by 40 points. The message is clear enough.

"As we know from our game at Calvisano, going to Italy is always a tough experience. When you have two teams representing their respective countries the intensity is always high and I am expecting the same at the weekend," he says.

Also making their England Saxons debut in Ragusa will be Bristol prop Alex Clarke, Bath lock Peter Short, Harlequins No. 8 Tom Guest and on the other flank John Rudd (Newcastle Falcons).