Leigh Halfpenny returns for Wales against Australia after 14 months on sidelines
Friday 4 November 2016 19:22, UK
Leigh Halfpenny will be back in a Wales shirt for the first time in 14 months when they take on Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.
Halfpenny has been out of the team since injuring his knee in a pre-World Cup warm-up match last year.
"I'm just absolutely delighted to hear my name read out to start against Australia. I'm over the moon to be playing after such a long spell away," he said.
"I've missed it, I've missed it a heck of a lot. I can't wait for Saturday."
Halfpenny, who has 62 caps for Wales, signed for big-spending Toulon in 2014 after being named 'man of the series' in the successful British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
But, after suffering the injury, Halfpenny decided to return home and recover in Wales.
"It was good to have that change in environment and be back home to see family and things which helped as well after being away for a while," he added.
"When you are injured, you want to use that time to improve on all aspects of your game, especially when you are out for such a lengthy period."
Halfpenny will be up against one of the most athletic opponents in the sport - Israel Folau - at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The full-back has scored three times in three games against Wales and Halfpenny was full of praise for him.
"He's very dangerous with ball in hand, very good in the air," he said. "They've got quality across the park, we need to do everything right, be at our best in defence, execute our roles."
