Halfpenny in talks over return to Wales
Leigh Halfpenny has been told he can become an even better player if he completes his widely flagged-up move to the Scarlets.
The Wales and Lions full-back is in discussions with the WRU over a move back to Wales, with the Scarlets favourites to land him.
Despite reports of a three-year National Dual Contract deal, as yet, Halfpenny has signed nothing and WRU sources are in the dark over whether the player will end up with the Guinness PRO12 champions.
The Scarlets were only last week sending out signals that Halfpenny’s wage demands were out of their range, even accounting for the 60-40 WRU-Regional split of a NDC.
However, Phil Bennett, an icon of Llanelli rugby who played more than 400 times for the west Wales club over 14 seasons, reckons Halfpenny would be a wow at the Scarlets.
“I have no doubt a move to the Scarlets would benefit Leigh,” said the former fly-half.
“The Scarlets backs are really expressing themselves and the whole team ended last season playing outstanding rugby.
“Wayne Pivac and Stephen Jones deserve huge credit because they are bringing the best out of the players.
“Stephen was a lovely footballer and he evidently has a lot about him as a coach because I am hearing positive reports about how much the players enjoy playing under him.
“They see a lot of the ball and there is an emphasis on developing skills and good decision-making. I just think Leigh would gain from being part of a side that plays that way.
“The Lions tour perhaps didn’t work out as well for him as he would have hoped. The team opted for a different type of game.
“Five or six years ago Leigh would have suited that approach perfectly. He was an electric player who scored tries and threatened defences, but for whatever reason he has gone into his shell in recent times.
“Rob Howley seems to have recognised the way the wind is blowing and these days he appears to want players to play more with their heads up, which is the exactly the way the game should be played.
“The good news for Leigh is that the Scarlets play like that as well. Everyone could benefit.”