Halfpenny close to another return

Wales are keeping a place open for Leigh Halfpenny to make his third international comeback from serious injury next month.

As due recognition of his never-say-die response to a series of pulverising blows, the veteran Lion’s reinstatement for the autumn series starting against New Zealand on November 5 is subject to the usual caveat. Wales have assured him and their other long-term casualty, Ken Owens, they will be chosen ‘if their form warrants it’.

Both see next year’s World Cup as the ultimate goal. For Halfpenny, back in action for the Scarlets yesterday after long months of interminable doubt, it raises the prospect of perhaps his greatest of all comebacks The first, against Australia in November 2016, came after a 14-month fight to save his career from a knee rupture against Italy. The second, against England in August 2019, followed a nine-month absence to recover from an off-the-ball blow to the head against Australia the previous autumn.

The third has been on hold since smashing his other knee in a freakish, no-contact slip against Canada the summer before last. Now, Halfpenny hopes to play his way back onto the Test stage at some stage next month.