Back in action.

Dan Biggar this week was surprisingly named in Wales’ starting line-up for their trip to Dublin to take on Ireland in the Six Nations this weekend.

The Ospreys playmaker has not featured in the competition this year so far after picking up a shoulder injury in the Champions Cup before Christmas. The 2017 Lions tourist was not expected back until the final two rounds at the earliest. But he has made a miraculous recovery.

How did he do it? Biggar has been putting in some serious hours in terms of rehab, utilising an oxygen chamber in order to get back to full fitness.

“It has been a tough five weeks with plenty of rehab – I could not have done any more,” Biggar said.

“I did 10 days on the bounce in an oxygen chamber, 90 minutes at a time. It was pretty monotonous but I stacked my iPad and got through a series of Suits.

“It was frustrating. I am a terrible watcher, because you cannot make a difference. We started well against Scotland and to secure a losing bonus point at Twickenham was not the worst. It is down to the team selected on Saturday to do the job and keep us in the tournament.”

Biggar says this weekend will be a tough outing for Wales. He cites his opposite number Johnny Sexton, who he spend time with in New Zealand while on tour with the Lions, as Ireland’s key man this weekend.

We know it will be difficult,” Biggar said.

“They are a fantastic, well-coached side and if you look at our two away games they are about as difficult as it gets.

“Johnny is a vital cog for them. I like him a lot. He has that streak in him: he knows what he wants, dictates play and has a real drive. I picked his brains last summer and it was good to spend time with him and Owen Farrell. ”