**Welsh Rugby Welcomes Leigh Halfpenny to Coaching Staff for Summer Test Series**
Welsh rugby fans have been delivered significant news ahead of this summer’s international fixtures, as legendary full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been confirmed as the latest addition to the Wales men’s coaching team. This announcement signals a new chapter for the British & Irish Lions star, who is set to bring his wealth of experience and renowned kicking expertise to the national set-up.
Halfpenny, who has amassed over 800 points in a century of caps for Wales throughout an illustrious playing career, will serve as a skills coach for the national side during their two-match Test series against Japan in July. This involvement marks a transition towards coaching for the 35‑year‑old, who is nevertheless understood to be continuing his playing career next season–reportedly with ambitious French second-division outfit Béziers.
The arrival of Halfpenny into Matt Sherratt’s backroom team is particularly noteworthy given the recent uncertainty around the future of kicking coach Neil Jenkins. Jenkins, an icon in his own right, previously held the kicking coach role under two successive head coaches, Warren Gatland and Wayne Pivac. However, he will not be travelling to Japan with the squad, and his long-term prospects with the coaching staff currently remain unclear.
Halfpenny’s coaching responsibilities will extend beyond just the kicking aspect, as he is expected to play a significant part in the overall development of the squad’s backline skills. He joins a group of accomplished coaches that includes Matt Sherratt as head coach, Gethin Jenkins focusing on defence, Adam Jones consulting on the scrum, and both T. Rhys Thomas and Danny Wilson working with the forwards.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the appointment, Sherratt commented, “It’s fantastic to have Leigh complete our coaching team for the summer Tests. His remarkable career and deep understanding of the game will be invaluable for our young backs as they prepare to face Japan. With just three weeks to go before we assemble, I’m looking forward to harnessing his knowledge as part of our preparations.”
Halfpenny himself voiced his excitement at taking this next step, stating, “It’s an enormous honour to be asked to join the national coaching group for the summer. Coaching with the U20s a few years ago was a brilliant experience, and I am keen to develop further over the coming weeks. I owe a lot to Neil Jenkins, whose guidance has shaped my own approach to kicking and professionalism. If I can pass even a fraction of what I’ve learned from him to the next generation, I’ll be proud.”
The decision to bring Halfpenny into the fold also reflects Welsh rugby’s commitment to leveraging home-grown expertise. His playing accolades, leadership qualities, and reputation as one of the world’s most reliable goal-kickers will bring a fresh yet respected perspective to the coaching dynamic, potentially inspiring the younger players in camp.
Though the long-term composition of the coaching staff remains to be finalised, including whether Halfpenny might take on a more permanent fixture in the set-up, the arrangement for the Japanese tour offers both the player and the Rugby Union a valuable trial period. As discussions continue regarding his future playing and coaching ambitions, Halfpenny has promised supporters an update in due course.
For now, as Wales prepares to confront a determined Japanese side, all eyes will be on how Halfpenny’s coaching influence shapes the team’s performance. The backroom changes signal a period of evolution for Welsh rugby, aiming to build on past experiences while nurturing new coaching talent from within its own ranks.