Another Welsh legend hangs up his boots
NEWS: Wales and British and Irish legend Leigh Halfpenny will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
He leaves the game as one of a select number of Wales men’s players to have reached a century of caps, sitting seventh on the all-time list with 101.
He also made four Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions across the 2013 and 2017 tours, being named player of the series in 2013.
He follows in the footsteps of his longstanding Wales and Lions teammate, George North, in announcing his retirement.
In a professional career spanning 18 years, Halfpenny has represented Cardiff, Toulon, Scarlets, Crusaders and Harlequins.
Diolch Pence. #YmlaenCaerdydd pic.twitter.com/vD3omRKzdR
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) May 5, 2026
“It’s hard to put into words how much rugby means to me. Starting out as a six-year-old down at Gorseinon Rugby Club, I could never have imagined the journey rugby would take me on – none of it would have been possible without those people that supported me from the very beginning,” said Halfpenny.
“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 that I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Speaking about his time at each club, Halfpenny added: “I’ll be forever grateful to Cardiff Rugby for giving me the opportunity to join the academy and start my professional career. I instantly felt at home, and I’ll always look back at my time at Cardiff as some of the most memorable years of my life.
“It’s a special club, and to be able to finish my playing career where I started means so much.
“My time at Toulon was an incredible experience. It gave me an opportunity for a new challenge, to move to the South of France, learn a new culture and to play in some of the best atmospheres in club rugby on the biggest stage.
“It is something I will never forget.
“I’ll always be thankful to Scarlets, where I spent six amazing years of my career after returning home to Wales. It’s a club with so much passion and identity, and I loved being part of it.
“It’s a chapter I’ll always treasure. “To have the privilege to join the Crusaders, to live in New Zealand and play Super Rugby was an experience of a lifetime, and to go on to join Harlequins, wear the famous quarters, and be part of such a historic club was a huge honour.
“I feel so fortunate to have represented the clubs I have.”
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