Shane Williams Doesn’t Think Leigh Halfpenny Should Sign For Toulon Or Cardiff
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Leigh Halfpenny is set to make a decision on his career in the coming weeks.
The Lions fullback has a number of offers on the table from Welsh regions as well as a staggering £750,000 a year offer from his current club Toulon. The Welsh clubs said to be interested are Cardiff and the Scarlets.
Cardiff have made it known that they have tabled an offer in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union, believed to be in excess of £450,000 a year. Halfpenny is no stranger to Cardiff have played for the PRO12 outfit before joining French giants Toulon.
That being said, it’s believed should Halfpenny return home, he will only sign for Cardiff but former Wales winger Shane Williams believes he would be a much better fit at the Scarlets instead.
Writing in the Rugby Paper, Williams said:
“Leigh is a hero in Wales and it would be fantastic for the game here if he came back. We’ve been losing players for years now and Liam Williams is the latest to move over the Severn Bridge.
“So if Leigh followed the likes of Gethin Jenkins and Jonathan Davies in returning, it would only benefit the game here and put more bums on seats.
“There’s been lots of talk about Leigh and Cardiff Blues, but I think the Scarlets would be perfect for Leigh and he would give them a massive boost too.
“A lot of their supporters are very disappointed to be losing Liam, but if Leigh was his replacement that would certainly soften the blow.
“Leigh has a lot of history with the Blues and I understand that, but if he signs there I’m sure his contract would have to guarantee he’d be first-choice full-back and where would that leave Matthew Morgan? He’s a developing player who would lose out if Leigh came in.
They’ve also got a number of wings in Tom James and Alex Cuthbert and Dan Fish plays in the back three too.
“For me the Scarlets is a more natural fit and while we’ll have to wait and see what happens with a dual contract, I know where I’d like to see Leigh playing next season.
“Leigh has a big decision to make on his future – but I believe it’s time for him to come back to Wales and a move to the Scarlets would be the perfect fit.”
What do you think? Does Shane Williams have a point?
