King tells Saints they have to shackle Ospreys dangermen Webb and Biggar

Alex King has warned Saints they must shackle Ospreys’ half-backs if they are to win in Wales this weekend.
THREAT - Rhys Webb gets to grips with Samu Manoa in Ospreys' defeat to Saints last yearTHREAT - Rhys Webb gets to grips with Samu Manoa in Ospreys' defeat to Saints last year
THREAT - Rhys Webb gets to grips with Samu Manoa in Ospreys' defeat to Saints last year

Scrum-half Rhys Webb and fly-half Dan Biggar have been the driving force behind their side’s ascent to the top of the Guinness PRO12 pile.

The Wales internationals were not allowed to pull the strings when Saints smashed Ospreys 34-6 at Franklin’s Gardens back in October.

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And attack coach King wants his men, who sit top of Pool 5, to stifle the dangerous duo in a similar manner at the Liberty Stadium.

“Ospreys are top of the PRO12, had a good win last week and they’re still in touch for qualification, but we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves,” said King.

“We’ve got an opportunity to really take control of the pool this weekend.

“They’re a good team, their half-backs have been strong all season; I’ve been really impressed with Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar as a combination.

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“We shut them down when we played them here and we need to do the same again on Sunday.”

And he added: “Rhys Webb is one of those players who can take opportunities when they present themselves, quick tap penalties, spotting a gap around a ruck.

“Dan Biggar is good at controlling the game, he’s got good experience and he’s an incredible goalkicker as well as someone who gets his backline moving.

“It’s going to be a good surface there so hopefully we’ll see an open game and we’ve got a good referee as well so there’s all the ingredients for a cracking European tie.”

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George North scored all four Saints tries in the most recent meeting between the two sides.

The Wales wing also dotted down in last season’s Heineken Cup clash between the teams at the Liberty Stadium.

And when asked whether North raises his game against his countrymen, King said: “You’d have to ask him, but his record this season has been spot on, so more of the same on Sunday.”

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