Holley warns Sexton faces biggest final challenge

SEAN HOLLEY has fired a warning to Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton by claiming Dan Biggar is in the form of his life.

The Ospreys travel to Dublin for the inaugural Magners League Grand Final on Saturday and Ospreys coach Holley believes 20-year-old Biggar, who held the edge over Ronan O’Gara in the Welsh region’s crucial win at Munster last month, can go one better by taking the scalp of Irish rising star Sexton at the RDS.

Holley said: “Dan has been fantastic for us this season and the players have really responded to him.

“A lot was made when we picked him ahead of James Hook at fly-half last season and (people) questioned what we were doing. But Dan is a young talent who has given us real control. I feel Welsh teams need that.

“He is still learning the game but is also making big steps in his career – he’s done really well for us.

“I love seeing young talent coming through and it’s one of the reasons why Scott Johnson (Ospreys director of coaching) and I are in the game. Dan and Jonathan both have a similar temperament and are in control of two of the biggest sides in Magners rugby now.

“It is great and fitting that they will both be playing in Saturday’s final. They have big careers ahead of them.”

But the battle for supremacy at number 10 is just one of a series of key battles in the mouthwatering final contest.

Lions’ full-backs Rob Kearney and Lee Byrne, centres Brian O’Driscoll and James Hook as well as back-rowers Jamie Heaslip and Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones all square-up to determine who will be the top Celtic outfit.

But Holley reckons the rise of pivot Biggar will go beyond the domestic final with Wales facing South Africa on June 5 followed by a two-Test tour to New Zealand this summer.

Holley added: “Dan is ready to challenge Stephen Jones and play for Wales. That’s the next step for him.

“He has already taken over from James and I believe we have been proven to be right to change his position this year.”