Toulon's Leigh Halfpenny not thinking of next move ahead of European opener
Thursday 13 October 2016 23:47, UK
Leigh Halfpenny is only thinking about his season with Toulon as they prepare for their opening 2016-17 European Champions Cup clash.
Halfpenny is out of contract at the end of the campaign and the Wales full-back has been linked with a return to his homeland after leaving the Cardiff Blues to move to France back in 2014.
The 27-year-old played a starring role in Toulon's European success two summers ago, but his 2015-16 season was wrecked by a serious knee injury that saw him ruled out for more than nine months.
"Since the injury last year, I have just wanted to completely focus on my rugby and not really think about my future at this point in time," Halfpenny said ahead of their mouthwatering clash with champions Saracens on Saturday.
"Obviously, I realise that there will be a time when I have to start thinking about that decision, and I am sure that will start in the next couple of months.
"But, right now, I can honestly say I haven't thought about what my decision is going to be for next season.
"I am just focusing on trying to get back to full fitness and trying to improve game on game and put in good performances for Toulon.
"The injury was a tough period. The timing of it just before the World Cup was hugely disappointing.
"I've had a few injuries in my career, and it was probably the toughest one I've ever had in terms of the rehab, and getting back to full fitness has been tough.
"It was an extremely intense rehab, and the medical and conditioning staff at Toulon and the Welsh Rugby Union were excellent in helping me get back to full fitness.
"I am just enjoying being back playing - I missed it so much. The knee is feeling good. I feel that every game I play it's getting better and better, so it's good to be back. I definitely feel like I am not far away from where I was before the injury.
"It took a few games to get back into things, but certainly the last couple of games, I feel like I am getting more back into the rhythm of things and to where I was before the injury."
