Dan Biggar has paid tribute to his “special mum” Liz, his biggest supporter, who has passed away after an illness.
The Wales rugby player is set to fly out with the Lions to South Africa next weekend.
Elizabeth Biggar passed away last month.
In a touching tribute to her in his column on MailOnline, 31-year-old Dan writes of her always being there and said she’d told him at the time of the Lions squad announcement on May 6, amid uncertainty over her health, to go to South Africa whatever the circumstances.
“I would like to use this column to mention my special mum, Liz,” he says.
“From the day I started playing rugby, she was always my biggest supporter. She was always there. This week has been strange.
“Normally, she would always be on the phone asking who I've been spending time with and wanting to know the ins and outs of what I've been doing. We would speak all the time and it was a big comfort for me. It's been hard.”
The 92-cap fly-half is a candidate for a Lions spot in the Tests against South Africa and he said he hoped to do his mother proud on the tour.
“Mum watched the Lions squad announcement from the hospital and she was so pleased when my name was read out,” he writes.
“At the time, when we didn't know what would happen with her health, she told me to go to South Africa whatever the circumstances.
“That summed her up: always putting other people first.
“I usually keep my job separate from any emotional things back home, but I hope that I can use this tour to do her proud.”
