Norman Biggs

Norman Biggs

Biggs in Wales jersey
Full name	Norman Witchell Biggs
Date of birth	(1870-11-03)3 November 1870
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales
Date of death	27 February 1908(1908-02-27) (aged 37)
Place of death	Sakaba, Kebbi State, Nigeria
University	University College Cardiff Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Notable relative(s)	Selwyn Biggs, brother Cecil Biggs, brother
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Wing
Amateur clubs Years Club / team     ? ? 1887–1899 1891–1893 1890–≥1891 1894–1896 1899–≥1900 Cardiff University Cambridge University R.U.F.C. Cardiff RFC Richmond F.C. London Welsh RFC Barbarian F.C. Bath Rugby Glamorgan Somerset
National team(s) Years Club / team Apps (points) 1888–94 Wales 8 (4)

National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Apps	(points)
1888–94	Wales	8	(4)

Norman Witchell Biggs (3 November 1870 – 27 February 1908) was a Welsh international rugby union wing who played club rugby for Cardiff and county rugby for Glamorgan. Both Biggs and his brother Selwyn played international rugby for Wales, though they never played together in the same match for Wales. Biggs also played cricket for Glamorgan and in 1893 was part of a team that took on Cardiff in a two-day match; he faced his brother Selwyn, who was a member of the Cardiff team.

Biggs is notable for being a member of the 1893 Triple Crown winning Wales team, being the youngest capped player to represent the Wales international team, a record he held for over a century, and the unusual circumstances of his death by poison arrow.

Norman Biggs was born in Cardiff to John and Emily Biggs. His father, who lived at Park Place in the centre of the city, was a brewer by trade who owned businesses in Cardiff and Bristol. Biggs was privately educated at several proprietary schools including Lewinsdale School in Weston-super-Mare, before matriculating to University College Cardiff and later Trinity Hall, Cambridge, playing rugby for both university teams. It was reported that Biggs should have won a sporting 'Blue' while at Cambridge, but an injury to his ribs ruled him out. As well as playing rugby, Biggs was a keen sprinter and he was able to run 100 yards in even time, and was able to beat world sprint champion Charlton Monypenny at this distance. On returning to Cardiff he joined his father's brewing business. In 1887, Biggs played his first senior game for Cardiff RFC, in a match against Penarth. Biggs came from a large sporting family and was one of six brothers to play rugby for Cardiff. His most notable brothers were Selwyn, who also played for Wales, and Cecil, who captained Cardiff during their 1904/05 season.