WALES' kicker supreme Neil Jenkins has backed Dan Biggar to thrive under the pressure of being the man with the tee at the World Cup.

The Ospreys fly-half has taken over the kicking duty after first-choice marksman Leigh Halfpenny was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

Losing the Toulon star is undoubtedly a blow to Welsh hopes of qualifying from a group of death featuring England, Australia and Fiji but Jenkins doesn't believe it will harms their score-building ability.

The former fly-half, who scored 1,049 for his country, has stated that there is little to choose between the two right-footers.

"We have lost one of the best in Leigh Halfpenny, but between him and Dan it is probably touch and go anyway," said the national kicking coach.

"Leigh took over the kicking four years ago and deserves his place as one of the best in the world, if not the best. 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, and do a very good job for us.

"Throughout his career, Dan has matured greatly, and the last couple of years he has been outstanding for us. He has led the team incredibly well, and he is a navigator who has been playing exceptional rugby himself.

"He has matured into a world-class 10, and that shows in the way he is performing and conducts himself on the pitch. Any 10 in any side is generally the leader and who the players look to, and 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."

It is likely that Biggar will sit out the tournament opener against Uruguay with Rhys Priestland pulling the strings.

Wales are expected to rack up the points against the pool whipping boys but Jenkins believes they can't afford to get too loose.

"We know what is coming and we know they will be pretty physical," he said. "We just need to make sure we are right and playing the right game.

"If it means ball in hand, that's what we will do and if it means kicking for territory and earning the right to play, we will do that. I will like to think we will make the right decisions."