Leigh Halfpenny will be joining Matt Sherratt’s coaching ticket this summer in Japan
Wales legend Neil Jenkins has penned a poignant message to Leigh Halfpenny as the former Harlequins player gets set to take on his mentor’s role this summer.
WalesOnline reported earlier on this week that Halfpenny was set to be included in Matt Sherratt’s coaching ticket for their two-Test tour of Japan next month, with the news confirmed by the Welsh Rugby Union on Thursday.
Halfpenny’s contract with Quins has now elapsed but it is understood the former Scarlets and Cardiff man will be taking up a contact with France with Béziers next season. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
However, before that, he will tip his toes further into the coaching pool with a national team role alongside head coach Sherratt, defence coach Gethin Jenkins, scrum consultant Adam Jones, assistant forwards coach T. Rhys Thomas and forwards coach Danny Wilson.
With the WRU going in a different direction, it means Warren Gatland’s trusted lieutenant and Wales mainstay Jenkins will be staying at home this summer, but the hero paid a suitably heartfelt tribute to his student with a message and photo on Instagram.
“Supporting my boy, always!” he wrote online. “Good luck for the summer tour son, very proud of you.”
In the comments section of the post, Halfpenny’s mother responded with a three heart emojis, while his wife Jess did the same, with others blown away by the sentiments expressed by Jenkins. “What a man you are for this post Jinx,” wrote one, while another added: “Class is permanent, passing the baton on, thanks Neil and good luck Leigh.”
Jenkins and Halfpenny have worked together with the national side for years, with the kicking legend imparting his wisdom on the Gorseinon product, helping him become one of the best goalkickers in world rugby.
Upon being announced as a member of Sherratt’s team, Halfpenny quickly paid his own tribute to Jenkins.
“To be asked to work with the men’s national squad this summer is a huge honour and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” said Halfpenny. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“I really enjoyed my experience coaching with the U20s a few years ago and I’m looking forward to continuing my development in this area over the next few weeks.
“Neil Jenkins has been a massive influence on me throughout my career.
“He’s one of the best that there has ever been and I’ve been privileged to have learnt so much from him and I hope I can take that knowledge forward into this role.
“I’m still finalising my plans beyond the summer and hope to update more on that front soon.
“In the meantime, I can’t wait to get into camp and join up with Matt, the rest of the coaching team and squad next week.”
