Halfpenny joins Wales coach team for summer Tests

Leigh Halfpenny made his last professional appearance for Cardiff against Stormers in May [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Leigh Halfpenny has joined the Wales management team for the Nations Championship as kicking coach.

>The former full-back retired at the end of the 2025-26 season and has linked up with Steve Tandy's squad for summer Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.

>Halfpenny worked with Wales last summer on their two-Test tour of Japan as skills coach with responsibility for kicking.

>"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Japan last year and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the group and continuing my development as a coach over the next few weeks," said the 37-year-old.

>Rhys Patchell carried out the role in the autumn and Six Nations on a part-time basis, but has since left Dragons for Benetton.

Delay as WRU to reveal plan to cut team in 'coming weeks' • >Wales U20s ring the changes after bruising win • >What Wales learned from Barbarians experienceHalfpenny, whose tally of 801 points in 101 Tests put him third in Wales' all-time points chart behind Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones, joined Cardiff as a player-coach last summer.

>The former British and Irish Lions full-back made his final professional outing in May when he came on for the closing stages of the Blue and Blacks' win against Stormers at the Arms Park that sealed a place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs.

>Halfpenny bolsters Tandy's growing management team after he initially worked with just two permanent assistants - Matt Sherratt and Danny Wilson - following his appointment as head coach last summer.

>This summer he has brought in defence coach Peter Murchie, contact area specialist Dan Lydiate and scrum coach Paul James.

>Tandy is pleased to add Halfpenny as interim kicking coach to work closely with Sherratt.

>"His playing record speaks for itself and it's great to get him on board with us as he continues to develop his coaching career," said the head coach.

>"Our young backs will benefit a huge amount from the knowledge and experience that Leigh has to share."

>Wales open the Nations Championship against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (14:10 BST) before trips to Argentina and South Africa.