Leigh Halfpenny: The unassuming Welsh rugby great who hung up his boots

In the year In 2008, Wales’ under-20 team made it to the Junior World Championships, giving a hint of what was to come. Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Davies and Halfpenny were in that side.

Grand Slams, titles and World Cup semi-finals. The best team in the world for a while.

They went one by one. Halfpenny is the last one.

The numbers are strong. Some 101 trophies, 801 points – third behind Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones – but they don’t quite explain him.

He was unassuming, shy, and the ultimate credit seeker.

But everyone believes.

No one has a bad word to say about him. In this game, that’s rare.

Former Wales manager Warren Gatland called him the best defensive full-back he had ever seen in the game. At his peak, particularly with the British & Irish Lions in 2013, he was perhaps the best full-back. Full stop.