Cardiff Rugby are delighted to confirm Leigh Halfpenny has signed a short-term contract at the Arms Park. 

The Wales legend, who previously spent seven years at the club, will initially take on a kicking coach role, while continuing his rehabilitation with the intention of returning to play in Blue & Black. 

Halfpenny, who is currently recovering from a calf injury, has been with Cardiff for the past month, and had the deal agreed prior to the departure of Matt Sherratt. 

Halfpenny said: “I’m really grateful for this opportunity – first to Jockey (Matt Sherratt) for bringing me in and to the club for formulising the arrangement. 

“I have been fortunate to work as a kicking coach with Wales Under-20s a few years ago and more recently had the privilege of working with the senior team in Japan this summer.  

“This is the next step in that journey and I’m really enjoying working with Cardiff’s kickers and their young back-three players. There is so much talent here and if I can help them in any way, passing on my experience then that is great. 

“Being a kicking coach is where I see my future but I’m still enormously motivated to play and feel I have a lot to give on the pitch. 

A dream return

“After coming through the academy and spending seven years here, I have always hoped to come back to the Arms Park one day.

“To be able to play for this club again would mean so much to me, where it all started. It would be a dream to finish my playing career here.” 

During his previous seven years at Cardiff, Halfpenny made 87 appearances, scoring 568 points. 

The 36-year-old won both the Amlin Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup during that time, while establishing himself as one of the game’s biggest stars. 

In an illustrious career Halfpenny has won 101 Wales caps, appeared in four Lions Test matches and won the Heineken Cup during his time with Toulon.

Halfpenny will now pass on that vast experience working with Cardiff’s kickers and young back-three players.