Dan Biggar: Aware of what is expected of him

Dan Biggar readily accepts that pressure and expectancy are all part of the job description attached to being Wales fly-half.

For the first time in an RBS 6 Nations environment, 23-year-old Biggar will fill that pivotal role when Wales launch their title defence against Ireland on Saturday.

His previous 11 caps were all won away from the white-hot atmosphere of Six Nations rugby, but this weekend's Millennium Stadium clash is his chance to stake a long-term claim for a shirt that has revered status in Wales following the stellar careers of predecessors like Barry John, Phil Bennett and Jonathan Davies.

"There is no getting away from what you guys (media) make of the Wales number 10 jersey," he said.

"The important thing is that as a player you are only borrowing it. That Welsh 10 jersey will be here long after I have retired, Hooky (James Hook) has retired, Rhys Priestland has retired.

"It's great putting that Welsh jersey on but, I'm sure, if you asked the loosehead or the tighthead prop, they will have the same amount of pride in putting the number one or number three shirt on."

Wales boss Rob Howley has called for Biggar to be given time and space by a demanding Welsh rugby public ahead of the Six Nations campaign.

But Biggar, who made his Wales debut against Canada during the 2008 autumn Tests, realises the spotlight is now on him.

"I don't think there is any hiding that my international career has been a little bit stop-start. I hope to get it going this weekend," he added.

"The Six Nations tournament is the best in the world, in my opinion, and it's something I am really looking forward to doing.

"I would like to think it's my best opportunity to put a marker down, and then go from there.

"If I can do my bit to get us off on the right foot then it will be happy days, but it's more important to stress that Wales get off to a good start this weekend rather than it being about the 10 jersey.

"If I don't have a particularly good game, but we win, I will be happy.

"We have got to do the simple things well. International rugby is about doing that, about making your set-piece, having your kicking game and defence in order.

"You get those three things right, and you stand a good chance of winning games of rugby."

Asked about the media attention Wales fly-halves attract, Biggar said: "It's part of the job title. You are aware of the Wales 10 jersey and the expectation around it.

"As a player, when your team is playing well, it's a great position to be in, but when things are not going quite as well as you would perhaps have liked, that's when you come under scrutiny a bit.

"As a 10, especially in Wales, that's part and parcel of the job. You have to take it as it comes, but you also have to enjoy the high bits as well, when you are playing well and winning as a team.

"It may sound arrogant, but you have to enjoy it - that's what makes you enjoy the game."

Biggar will line up in a team containing 10 survivors from the side that launched last season's Six Nations title and Grand Slam-winning campaign by beating Ireland.

But while familiar faces like Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones and skipper Sam Warburton all feature, there is also a Wales debut for 28-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons lock Andrew Coombs.

Coombs' elevation to Test match status comes less than three years after he made his Dragons debut, and he only recently switched positions from back row to lock when the Dragons were hit by injuries.

The former computer software salesman played Welsh Premiership club rugby with Pontypool and Newport before graduating into the Dragons' professional ranks.

Coombs will partner fit-again Ian Evans at lock - knee trouble has meant Evans not playing since November - but Wales remain without injured second-rows Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris.

Howley has resisted any temptation to field two openside flankers - Warburton and Justin Tipuric - with Warburton retained in his familiar number seven shirt, Aaron Shingler filling blindside duties and Tipuric on bench duty.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones, who would have offered a back-row or second-row option, is sidelined after dislocating his thumb during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup game against Leicester 18 days ago.

Jones, hooker Richard Hibbard, backs Liam Williams and Eli Walker and lock Lou Reed were all unavailable for selection due to injuries.

And there is a role among the replacements for uncapped Harlequins lock Olly Kohn. Born in Bristol, 31-year-old Kohn has Welsh qualification through his late grandfather, who hailed from the Rhymney Valley.