Leigh Halfpenny poised to quit France
Halfpenny has given the biggest hint yet that he will return to Wales next summer when he completes his three-year contract at Toulon.
And having already secured an early release from the club should he be selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand, Halfpenny is now likely to leave France anyway next June to safeguard his Wales career.
Under the self-imposed selection policy, dubbed ‘Gatland’s Law’, players who have turned down the offer of a contract in Wales, either with one of the four regions or a national dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union, will not be picked for the national team.
Warren Gatland or, this season, caretaker coach Rob Howley are permitted three ‘wild cards’ as exceptions to that rule and have chosen George North (Northampton Saints), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) and Taulupe Faletau (Bath) for this month’s Under Armour Series.
Halfpenny, right, is not affected by this condition, despite agreeing to take-up the final year of his contract in the summer, because he initially signed with Toulon before the policy was put in place.
However the 27-year-old, Wales’ third highest points-scorer of all-time, is unwilling to further risk his international future by signing a new deal at Stade Felix Mayol with Cardiff Blues and Ospreys leading the chase.
Halfpenny said: “Next year, I would be regarded as a wild card and that’s a massive factor for me to think about.
“Because I had originally signed my existing contract before the law came in, it meant I wasn’t counted as a wild card when I chose to extend at Toulon this season.
“But for me the priority is Wales. It’s all about playing as well as you can for your club in order to push for selection for Wales. To be a wild-card could possibly have an effect on that so it’s something I definitely have to consider.
“Toulon is a great place to live and a fantastic club to play for with players who have achieved so much, so I have a big decision to make.”
That would also rule out a potential reunion with his former Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young at Wasps.
Welsh Rugby Union bosses have set aside a war-chest of funds to attract players back to Wales – such as Jonathan Davies last summer.
Then it would be up to Ospreys, Blues, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons to press their case to provide the other 40 per cent of national dual contract.
Toulon are already braced to lose Halfpenny with All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg on their shopping list.
But Halfpenny will return to the Cote D’Azur next month to work with his third coach at Toulon after ex-Bath boss Mike Ford took over from Diego Dominguez.
He said: “Mike was great when he came in. He brought a different approach to playing that the boys have bought into. He will bring a strong focus on preparation.
MATT LLOYD
