Wales vs Scotland, Six Nations: Dan Biggar in battle to be fit while Rhys Priestland put on standby

Rhys Priestland helped haul Wales back into the game after replacing Biggar against Ireland

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is helped from the field after spraining his ankle against Ireland during the 16-16 draw in Dublin (Reuters)

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is “working with the medics around the clock” in an attempt to regain full fitness for the Six Nations encounter with Scotland on Saturday, according to assistant coach Robin McBryde.

Biggar, who was outstanding during the World Cup last autumn, suffered a sprained ankle midway through the first half of last Sunday’s 16-16 draw with Ireland in Dublin.

Rhys Priestland replaced him and helped haul Wales back into the contest from 13 points adrift, and he is likely to start when Scotland arrive at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, if Biggar does not recover. Head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his starting line-up today.

“Dan is out of a [surgical] boot, and he is working with the medics around the clock to give himself every chance,” McBryde said. “I don’t think he is going to be training today, but he might tomorrow.”

Rhys Priestland helped haul Wales back into the game after replacing Biggar against Ireland (PA)

McBryde said of the selection: “We know there is not a lot of pressure on us to make that decision because we have an able body in Rhys Priestland, which takes the pressure off having to make a decision early in the week.

“Everyone is aware of the strengths that Dan possesses with regards to the kicking game in particular, and the ability to challenge and compete as well as he does in the air,” McBryde added.

“Rhys is a different player. He has got his own strengths, and we saw that on Sunday. He proved he is as good as anyone with regards to kicking under pressure. We have got ultimate confidence in Rhys. He has been in and around the squad for quite some time. He seemed comfortable, and certainly didn’t take anything away from the display.”

McBryde confirmed that full-back Gareth Anscombe is fit to be considered after he was a late withdrawal from the Ireland game due to a tight hamstring, with Liam Williams taking over at No 15.

Despite that draw that ended their Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes, victories in their four remaining fixtures – three of which are in Cardiff – should be enough to see them crowned champions. Wales have won eight successive matches against Scotland since Gatland took charge eight years ago.

“I think we showed on the weekend that we are not that far away. We are creating plenty of opportunities, it’s just nailing them, really,” McBryde said. “It comes down to one extra pass sometimes, a little bit more depth or getting it [the ball] through your hands a bit quicker, and I am sure if we had nailed those opportunities early on, it would have been a different game.”

Meanwhile, Sian Williams has become Wales’s first full-time professional female player. The 25-year-old flanker, who plays for Worcester and Newport Gwent Dragons and has won 20 caps, has been awarded elite athlete status by the Royal Air Force to play rugby professionally.