CARDIFF Blues head coach Danny Wilson responded to rumours that Leigh Halfpenny could be returning to the region by confirming they would be interested in signing the full-back.
Leigh Halfpenny has been linked with a return to the Blues © Jumpy News
Halfpenny was linked with a move back to Wales after it was confirmed that Liam Williams will join Saracens at the end of the season.
Under WRU rules, the national team can only pick three players from those designated as wildcards playing outside of Wales. Williams’ move to England could cause headaches for the squad selectors if Halfpenny elects to remain in France with Toulon.
Wilson said: “If Leigh Halfpenny is available I’d imagine all four regions would be keen on bringing him back. The Welsh Rugby Union will certainly be interested in bringing him back.
“Outside of that there’s not a lot I can comment on, until those decisions from both parties are decided upon it’s all just hearsay.
“Leigh has been at the region before, he’s got a lot of friends here on and off the field in terms of staff and players.
“He certainly enjoyed his time at Cardiff Blues and hopefully that would have a bearing if such an opportunity was available.
“Obviously, we’d want to be in the mix. With the likes of Leigh, the player he is, and being Welsh I think we’d do our utmost to get him back.”
In the meantime, the Blues travel to Galway this Friday to face reigning Pro12 champions Connacht in what promises to be a difficult trip.
Halfpenny played for the Blues from 2008-14 © Jumpy News
The squad will travel without fly-half Jarrod Evans who is expected to be out for two months with a facial injury, but have no other injury concerns ahead of the match.
“We are certainly preparing for a Galway Friday evening. The boys have trained well and we have a couple back after the LV campaign,” said Wilson.
Centre Rey Lee-Lo said: “I have never been there before but I’ve heard some stories. My close mate is there, Bundee Aki. I’ve been chatting to him and asking him if the weather is good so we can play some good footy.”
American winger Blaine Scully added: “It is a tough place to go but we are all pretty confident in our ability to do well. We have had a good prep which is really important for us.”
- The Blues kick off in Galway at 7.35pm on Friday.
