Wales optimistic Leigh will return for England

LEIGH Halfpenny is fighting to complete one of the bravest Test centuries by resuming normal service in Saturday’s surprising Triple Crown decider.

England’s appearance in Cardiff is scheduled to be the full-back’s 100th international for Wales and the Lions, provided he is cleared after another head blow forced him into an early exit from Murrayfield suffering from concussion.

The 32-year-old from Gorseinon will undergo further tests this week with Wales optimistic that their fearless last line of defence will recover in time. Like a true warrior, he has bounced back from more severe blows during an international career now in its 13th year.

A smashed right knee against Italy in the last match before the 2015 World Cup put him out of the tournament and kept him out for 14 months. Three years later, a late hit to the head by Australia centre Samu Kerevi, forced him into another long absence.

Those two blows took a combined chunk of two years out of his life with Wales during which time they played 30 matches without him. Halfpenny’s fitness will have a major influence on whether Liam Williams reverts to 15, stays on the wing or starts on the bench by losing his place to Josh Adams, back from a two-match ban.

Halfpenny’s reinstatement as Wales’ first-choice goalkicker against Ireland will be a major factor when head coach Wayne Pivac announces who starts at fly-half – Dan Biggar or his early second half replacement against Scotland, Callum Sheedy.

Losing one tried and trusted goalkicker would leave him less likely to start without the other, Biggar, given a weekend’s rest by Northampton from Premiership duty.

Faced with an avalanche of injury before and after the opening round, Pivac is now almost spoilt for choice in certain areas with George North, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams and Josh Navidi back in training after missing the thriller in Scotland where Wales again made opponents pay dearly for a red card.