Heraldo de Madrid - Wales rugby great Halfpenny to retire

The 37-year-old won the last of his 101 caps in 2023. He also made four Test appearances across three British and Irish Lions tours, winning player-of-the-series in the 2013 triumph over Australia.

Halfpenny has had two spells at Cardiff and also played for Toulon, Scarlets, Crusaders and Harlequins.

"It's always going to be difficult to walk away from a game that's been part of my life for so long but when you know, you know and now I know the time is right for me and my family," he said on social media.

Halfpenny, who will end his career at Cardiff, said playing for Wales had been his "childhood dream".

"Putting on the Welsh jersey meant absolutely everything to me. To have been able to do for 101 times is an absolute honour and privileged."

Cardiff Rugby life president Gareth Edwards said Halfpenny would go down as one of rugby's greatest players.

"He is someone I have admired, respected and enjoying watching over the years, and even more so as a player from Cardiff," he said.

"Off the pitch, his personality also makes him such a likeable young man. He is so humble and always has time for people, even in the chaos sometimes brought by his stature in the game."

Q.Escribano--HdM