International debut Biggs gained his first
cap for Wales when he was selected to play against the touring
New Zealand Natives in 1888 at
St. Helen's Ground. At the time Biggs was 18 years and 49 days old, making him the youngest Wales international, a record that would last for more than a century before being broken by
Tom Prydie in
2010. The New Zealanders were the first touring team from the Southern Hemisphere and brought with them a reputation for over-vigorous play. Biggs himself was described by the press as "palpably nervous" before the kick-off, though many of the backs appeared withdrawn, apart from
William Stadden and
James Webb appearing calm. Not only did Biggs have the Māori opposition to contend with, the
Swansea crowd were also hostile towards their own team, as they felt the
Swansea backs should have been selected instead. Within 90 seconds of the start of the match, Biggs scored a "sparkling try".
Home Nations Championship matches Later in the 1888–89 season, Biggs was reselected for the Welsh team as part of the
1889 Home Nations Championship. He was not chosen for the first game of the season against Scotland, but was accepted for the second and final game to Ireland. Under the captaincy of
Arthur Gould, Biggs was partnered on the wing by
Abel Davies of
London Welsh. Wales lost to Ireland by two tries to nil, the first time the Irish had won on Welsh soil. Biggs and Davies were both dropped for the next season. It took Biggs until the
1892 Home Nations Championship to regain his place in the national team, again he was chosen for the final game of the tournament against Ireland. Although the Welsh backs contained the talents of
Billy Bancroft, brothers
Evan and
David James and Arthur and
Bert Gould, the Welsh team were outclassed by
Victor Le Fanu's Ireland. It was the first time Wales had lost all three games in the Championship. Despite the loss Biggs was reselected for all three games of the
1893 tournament, all under the captaincy of "Monkey" Gould. In a reversal of fortunes from the previous season, Wales managed to win all three matches, lifting the
Triple Crown for the first time in the country's history. Biggs played an important role during the Triple Crown winning season, scoring two tries, one each in the games against England and Scotland. The 1893 away game against Scotland is described as Biggs' best international match and 'his speed and general play were the main factors in securing the first victory of the
Principality over Scotland at Scotland'. In his final game against Ireland, Biggs was part of an all Cardiff three-quarters, along with
Tom Pearson,
Dai Fitzgerald and
Jack Elliott. The very next international saw Biggs' younger brother Selwyn selected for the first time, the brothers missing each other by just one match.
International matches played Wales • 1893, 1894 • 1889, 1892, 1893, 1894 • 1888 • 1893
Club and county Biggs played for Cardiff from the 1886–87 season through to 1898–99, though not continuously, spending some time in the early 1890s in London. He played in 166 matches for Cardiff, was one of the highest scoring players the club had produced. The 1893–94 season saw Biggs score 58 conversions, 25 tries and two dropped goals bringing his points tally to 199 points. This remained a club record until the 1972–73 season when it was surpassed by John Davies. Biggs played for several club teams throughout his career, including England's
Richmond and Welsh exile club London Welsh. On 24 December 1890, Biggs played for London Welsh in a match against his longterm club Cardiff. The London Welsh team produced a 'devastating display' to beat Cardiff by a single try. At county level he represented Glamorgan where he played alongside his brother, and later turned out for Somerset. The same season as he faced the Barbarians with Cardiff, Biggs was invited to join the tourists; one of four of the Biggs brothers to play for the team. The last notable club Biggs represented was
Bath, captaining the senior team during the 1899–1900 season. Biggs played twice more for the Barbarians, both matches against
Bath Rugby. In the 1894 encounter Biggs converted a try in a 14–0 victory, while the 1896 match saw Biggs score a try and two conversions in a 13–13 draw. ==Later life and military career==