Six Nations: Leigh Halfpenny’s hopes of playing in Wales vs England all but over as he’s left out by Scarlets

After already missing the last three months with concussion, Halfpenny’s expected return this weekend has been put on hold

Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of Wales’ Six Nations clash against England after being withdrawn from Scarlets Pro14 game against Benetton Treviso.

The 30-year-old Wales and Scarlets full-back, who has not played since being concussed in a challenge from Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi last November, had been in contention to face England next Saturday after taking a full part in contact training with his region this week.

Hopes had been raised the highly-experienced British and Irish Lions full-back, capped 80 times by Wales and one of their most valued squad members, would be in line to make an international return against England if he got through 80 minutes at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday evening.

But a release on Friday from Scarlets stated he had been withdrawn from selection with no further time-frame placed on a return. His participation in any part of the Six Nations must now be in serious doubt.

“Leigh Halfpenny was not considered for the fixture against Benetton Rugby, this weekend,” the release read. “Although Leigh has returned to full training, it was collectively decided that he should continue training fully with the hope he will be available for selection in the imminent future.”

Hopes of a return had been raised this week when Scarlets reported Halfpenny had taken a full part in training for the first time since suffering his latest head injury.

Scarlets director of rugby Wayne Pivac said: “He did everything - full contact, full tackling - we had a mini-game scenario with no hiding places and he was taking high balls, getting clattered and did everything he needed to do.”

But the news he has suffered a setback leave more questions over his return with more specialist advice likely to be sought as Halfpenny seeks to overcome the problem which has seriously hampered the latter part of his career.

Professional rugby players are more likely to suffer concussion than any other injury and several players have been forced to call time on their careers in recent years as a result of repeated head injuries.

In January, Ospreys centre Ben John became the latest player to retire on the advice of neurologists after a series of head injuries blighted his career.

The full-back has not played since 10 November (Rex)

Halfpenny, 30, who has worn a scrum cap for much of his playing career, has suffered a history of head injuries with concerns raised about his future in the game as far back as 2015.

“If he gets more and more bumps on the head, there is a danger that it's career threatening," said former Wales fly half Jonathan Davies in March 2015 after Samuela Vunisa caught Halfpenny’s head with his knee as the Welsh full back attempted to tackle the Italian.

“He's brave as they come. He never shirks a tackle, but I'm slightly worried now at the amount of times I see him hit his head on the wrong side.

“A lot of players have had bangs on the head and then they've been told to retire and that would be a shame.”

Halfpenny has not played in more than three months due to concussion (Getty)

Halfpenny has been carefully managed by Wales and Scarlets medical team in recent years with the WRU significantly improving their in-house concussion protocols after being widely criticised when George North played on against England in 2015 after apparently being knocked out twice in the same game.

WRU sources had been keen to play down the probability of the veteran full-back featuring against England after such a long lay-off, even before his latest setback.

But his withdrawal from selection for Scarlets clash with Treviso is a significant blow for the player and Wales, who will miss his outstanding positional work, especially against England.

“When fit, I don’t think there’s a better positional full-back than Leigh Halfpenny,” said former Wales wing Shane Williams this week.

“With Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs and Elliott Daly in their back line, England have a scary amount of kicking options.”

Leigh Halfpenny has a history when it comes to concussion (PA)

Halfpenny’s absence means Saracens Liam Williams, who can also play on the wing, will continue in the No 15 shirt for Wales with Worcester’s Josh Adams and Ospreys star North on either wings against England.

Williams has been the pick of Wales’ three-quarters in their opening two wins against France and Italy, providing razor sharp attacking lines while also impressing under the high ball.

While he lacks Halfpenny’s all-round positional excellence, with the Scarlets No 15 unrivalled in world rugby for his ability to read attacking kicks from hand, he provides a greater attacking threat, while Adams has also been excellent, barring one horribly skewed kick which led to an Italian try in Rome last weekend.

Liam Williams is likely to continue at full-back in Halfpenny's absence (Reuters)

Ball-in-hand, the combination of Williams, North and Adams provides Wales’ most potent attacking combination.

But Halfpenny’s absence will be sorely felt by all in Wales and on a human level we must all hope he makes a full recovery from an injury which continues to blight rugby, despite improved protocols and safety measures being introduced in recent times.