Six Nations: Leigh Halfpenny gives Wales tips about French failings

Halfpenny left his homeland for a spell with the European champions Toulon in 2014 and has first-hand knowledge of every member of the France squad

Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered prior to the World Cup (Getty Images)

It is four years since Wales were last caught short by France in a Six Nations fixture and if Leigh Halfpenny has his way, the trend will continue in Cardiff a week today.

The British and Irish Lions Test full-back and goal-kicker supreme is still recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy five months ago, but he has suddenly reappeared amongst the Red Dragonhood in time to pass on valuable information about life in the land of Les Bleus.

Halfpenny left his homeland for a spell with the European champions Toulon in 2014 and has first-hand knowledge of every member of the France squad, with the exception of the dangerous new wing Virimi Vakatawa, who has broken into the starting line-up straight from seven-a-side duty.

“Leigh is a good person to have in our environment – he’s very honest and very humble – and the knowledge he can share amongst the squad with regards to the French mindset is invaluable as well,” said Robin McBryde, the Wales forwards coach. “It’s important to understand how they perceive us and what qualities they think we possess.”

There is no guarantee that the France-based lock Luke Charteris will recover from knee trouble in time for next week’s game. Charteris will certainly miss the Parisian club Racing 92’s domestic match with Grenoble this weekend and is due to have his fitness assessed when he returns to camp on Sunday.

Wales are much more optimistic about another of the players they lost to Top 14 rugby across the water, the Clermont Auvergne centre Jonathan Davies. Clermont sources suggested he was struggling with a groin problem, but unlike Charteris, he was not mentioned in his national team’s injury bulletin.