Wales great Halfpenny set for Cardiff playing return

Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has signed a new contract with Cardiff and returns to action this weekend.

The 36-year-old signed a short-term deal at the start of the season, initially as a kicking coach, with the intention of returning to play once he recovered from a calf injury.

Halfpenny, who will turn 37 just before Christmas, has now agreed a contract to continue at the Arms Park as a player-coach.

He is fit for selection and has been included to start in Saturday’s Challenge Cup home match with Ulster (20:00 GMT) in which he would play in a Cardiff side for the first time in more than 11 years.

It will be 4,347 days since his previous appearance for the Blue and Blacks, having left the club for Toulon in 2014.

“We are blessed to have some quality full-backs at the club, but to add Leigh’s experience to the mix is brilliant,” said Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl.

“Leigh has spent time helping our kickers and young full-backs during the past two months but has also worked hard to get himself back fit and available for selection.

“He continues to help the young players on a daily basis and gives us another option and further competition.”

During his previous seven years at Cardiff, Halfpenny made 87 appearances, scoring 568 points and winning the Amlin Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.

After his club stint in France, Halfpenny played for Scarlets, Crusaders in New Zealand, and Harlequins, while he was also part of the Wales backroom coaching staff on the 2025 summer tour of Japan.

Meanwhile, Cardiff have signed former hooker Ethan Lewis on a short-term loan from Ospreys as cover for injured captain Liam Belcher.

The hooker previously made 60 appearances for Cardiff before joining Saracens during the 2020-21 season and later linking up with the Ospreys.

With Belcher currently sidelined, Lewis has signed a deal until the end of January, providing competition for Daf Hughes and Evan Lloyd.