Leigh Halfpenny has established himself as one of the deadliest goal-kickers in world rugby but a serious knee injury against Italy has forced the Toulon full-back out of the tournament.
While his departure would be a massive setback for most teams, Jenkins expects Biggar to grab his opportunity after playing second fiddle to Halfpenny’s eye-catching kicking expoits.
“We have lost one of the best in Leigh Halfpenny but there is not much between him and Dan Biggar,” said Jenkins. “Leigh took over the kicking four years ago and deserves his place as one of the best in the world, if not the best. But Dan is incredibly close if not on a par with him.”
“We are very lucky in that regard to have someone like Dan to come in and be able to do the job that he does with the Ospreys, week in, week out.”
Jenkins, who amassed 1049 points in a glittering career with Wales, believes Biggar has matured greatly over the last couple of years.
“He has led the team incredibly well and he is a navigator who has been playing exceptional rugby himself,” said Jenkins.
“He has matured into a world-class number 10 and that shows in the way he is performing and the way he conducts himself on the pitch. Any 10 in any side is generally the leader and who the players look to. He has certainly given us that.
“He knows the patterns inside out and the way we want to play the game and he understands the game.
“He has an outstanding kicking game and the balance to his play with his defence and aerial skills are superb. There is not many things Biggs can’t do and he has plenty to say as well which is good.
“He has learned to control his emotions and when he is right on edge, he is able to make the right decisions and lead the team and put them in the right positions. Some 10s in the past like myself would lose the plot. Dan doesn’t do that and is in control of every game. His all-round game is superb.”
