HALFPENNY CAN CASH IN ON HIS TRIP BACK TO TOULON
LEIGH HALFPENNY returns to Toulon tomorrow with a Scarlets team backed to restore the pride of Welsh regional rugby. The Lions full-back (above) was shocked to be ditched by the three-time European champions over the summer. He has an immediate chance to show what he thinks of Mourad Boudjellal’s decision – taken, the Toulon owner claimed, because he was too often unavailable due to injury and international calls. Wales legend Jonathan Davies (right) believes Halfpenny and Scarlets, last year’s Pro12 champions, make a dream team. “Scarlets are very much carrying the flag for Wales,” said the crosscode great turned BBC pundit.
“I am more optimistic about their chances than I have been about any Welsh side in Europe for probably 20 years.
“I think Scarlets will be good for Leigh. We all know what a tremendous goalkicker he is and hopefully, with the way they’re playing, he’ll rediscover the form he had a few years ago on the attacking side of the game.”
No Welsh side has ever won the Champions Cup, the nation has not had a quarter-finalist since Cardiff Blues reached the last eight in 2012.
This year only Scarlets and Ospreys have even qualified for the competition – and Ospreys, drawn in Pool 2 with Northampton and last season’s two finalists Saracens and Clermont, have no hope on current form.
But Davies says Scarlets have a strong chance of advancing from Pool 5, which also includes Bath and Benetton Treviso.
“They have gone well up front, their defence is hard and aggressive and they create opportunities from that,” he said.
“If they can cope with the physicality of Toulon, the style that they play and the confidence with which they play could take them far. They are a pleasure to watch.”
For all that, Toulon have lost only once in 21 European ties at Stade Mayol. And they now have tournament record try scorer Chris Ashton in their ranks.
Ospreys welcome back Lions duo Rhys Webb and Justin Tipuric at home to Clermont, who are without their star backs Nick Abendanon and Wesley Fofana.