Wales
Halfpenny relishing Wilkinson link-up
ESPN Staff
February 1, 2014
Leigh Halfpenny will be at Toulon next term © PA Photos
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Wales star Leigh Halfpenny is hopeful Jonny Wilkinson will postpone his retirement by a further year so he can play in the same team as the legendary fly-half.

Halfpenny has joined the exodus of Welsh players choosing to play in the Top 14 next season and will line-up for Mourad Boudjellal's Galacticos. After a remarkable 2013 which saw Halfpenny scoop both Player of the Six Nations and a similar gong for the British & Irish Lions tour, his services were in high demand.

Toulon secured his signature and Halfpenny is looking to learn from Wilkinson.

"I spoke to him after the Blues' Heineken Cup game to hear his thoughts on Toulon," Halfpenny told Wales Online. "I'm not sure what his future is going to be - whether he stays or not, but it would be incredible to play in the same team as Jonny who has been a real role model for me growing up. That's really exciting.

"If he stays it would be fantastic, but I'm just looking forward to joining up with the quality players they have in the team."

While Wales have struggled to get access to some of their top players outside of the international windows, Halfpenny is adamant that will not be a problem at Toulon.

"I have full release for the preparation and the fourth game in the autumn," he said. "I'd like to thank Toulon for that because that was a massive factor in my decision.

"I'm still fully committed to playing for Wales. For me it is a huge honour and a privilege every time I wear that jersey. Playing for Wales is what I love doing and really important to me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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