Leigh Halfpenny Offered Bumper Contract

French giants Toulon have offered Leigh Halfpenny a bumper new contract in a bid to keep him in the south of France.

The Wales and Lions fullback has been linked with a move back home in recent months with Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues both said to be interested in his services. The talented back let it be known last weekend that he wants to continue playing for Wales, with his chances reduced in France as a wildcard pick.

Halfpenny is already on a whopping £600,000 a year with the French side, but with that deal set to expire at the end of the season, Toulon are set to offer him a deal that will catapult him into the upper echelon of mercenaries in the Top 14, alongside the likes of Dan Carter and Matt Giteau, who are on £1.4m and £900,000 respectively.

No prospective Welsh club would be able to match an offer from Toulon, even with a dual-contract but he would receive a handsome package upon arrival and wouldn’t have to rely on being picked as Test wildcard.

Should Halfpenny turn down the lures of France, his preferred destination is said to be the Cardiff Blues, having spent six seasons with the PRO12 side. Scarlets will no doubt however, do all they can to lure him to Llanelli, with Liam Williams poised to join Saracens.

Halfpenny is in Wales this weekend, playing for Toulon against the Scarlets in Sunday’s European Champions Cup clash in Llanelli.