Leigh Halfpenny shone during the World Cup and Six Nations for Wales © Getty Images

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Teams: Cardiff Blues | Wales

Cardiff Blues fullback Leigh Halfpenny has handed a boost to the region after declaring that he has no interest in a move away from the side this summer.

Welsh rugby has had to endure the sight of several leading players making the move to French or English clubs, with Luke Charteris, Gethin Jenkins and Stephen Jones among those leaving Wales at the end of this season. The Blues have been particularly hard hit with Jenkins, Casey Laulala and Dan Parks all exiting the Cardiff City Stadium, with wing Alex Cuthbert also reportedly mulling over a move across the Channel.

Halfpenny was one of the stars of Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam campaign, and his displays had led to him being linked with clubs in France. But he told the BBC: "I am happy at the Blues and am contracted for another season.

"I am thoroughly enjoying myself there and as far as I am concerned I am a Cardiff Blues player and I am just concentrating on doing as best a job as I can for the Blues. I haven't even thought about that (a move) because I am still a Cardiff Blues player and still want to do really well for them."

Halfpenny says he understands why some of his team-mates have chosen to ply their trade outside their homeland as the Welsh regions feel the pinch in the current economic climate. And while he has not ruled out making a similar move later in his career, he is more than happy to continue his career in Wales for now.

"In the longer term, who knows?" said Halfpenny. "I am still 23 and I am a home boy and I enjoy playing my rugby in Wales. I haven't thought about it yet but in a couple of years time, who knows?

"At the moment, I am really enjoying my rugby in Wales and I am concentrating playing the best I can here. There are players who are moving on who may just want a new way of life."