Legendary Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season.

Halfpenny played 101 times for Wales, scoring 801 points – the third most in his nation’s history behind Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones.

The 37-year-old appeared at three World Cups, and on three British and Irish Lions tours, in 2009, 2013, and 2017. The fullback helped the Lions to a series victory in Australia and a draw in New Zealand, and was awarded man-of-the-series in the former.

Halfpenny started his playing career at local club Neath and Cardiff RFC, before quickly graduating into the Cardiff regional side.

In 2014, ‘Pence’ signed for European champions Toulon, winning a Champions Cup of his own in his first season. After three years in the south of France, Halfpenny returned to Wales at Scarlets, helping the west Walian side to the Pro12 final in 2018.

After six years at Scarlets, Halfpenny signed for Super Rugby side Crusaders in New Zealand, as well as English Premiership side Harlequins, before returning to Cardiff as a player-coach this season.

For Wales, Halfpenny established himself as one of the best place kickers in the world, as well as an ultra-reliable defensive presence and selfless attacker.

He received his first call up to the Wales senior squad in 2008, making his debut against the World Champion South African side in November that year.

The Swansea-born player became Wales’ first choice kicker during the 2011 World Cup, where he helped his country to a semi-final, losing in agonising fashion to eventual runners-up France.

He played in the Grand Slam success of 2012 and the Six Nations triumphs of 2013 and 2021 and was part of another World Cup semi-final sides in 2019.

In 2013 Halfpenny was named Six Nations player of the tournament and BBC Sport Wales personality of the year. He was second in the overall BBC network award that year behind Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.

As part of the successful 2013 Lions tour, Halfpenny broke his mentor Neil Jenkins’ record for the most points scored on a tour, as well as scoring the most points by a single player in one test.

Halfpenny announced his retirement from international rugby in the autumn of 2023, appearing one final time for Wales against the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium.

“Starting out aged six down at Gorseinon RFC, I could never have imagined the journey rugby would take me on,” Halfpenny wrote on social media.

“None of it would have been possible without those people that supported me from the beginning.

“Rugby has given me some of the best moments of my life and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have played the game I love for the last 18 years.

“It’s always going to be difficult to walk away, but the time feels right as I reflect back on a career I’m grateful for.”

“To play for my country was always a childhood dream,” he added.

“To wear the Wales jersey meant everything and is something I still struggle to put into words. These remain some of the proudest moments of my life.”

Halfpenny joins fellow Welsh try-scorers Liam Williams and George North, who have announced their retirements in recent weeks.

Former Wales and Lions full-back Neil Jenkins was Halfpenny’s kicking mentor and hero growing up.

“I first met Leigh back in the academy days, as a young kid at the Ospreys,” said Jenkins.

“All the way throughout senior rugby, we worked together. It has been a special bond. We’ve had a fantastic relationship. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for what he’s done and been through.

“I try explaining to people that, often in life, those who are any good work incredibly hard. Maybe harder than anyone else. Leigh’s one of those for sure.

“Seeing what Leigh is today, not just as a rugby player, but as a person more importantly for me, is special. It’s been incredible seeing that journey.”

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