Former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny has committed his coaching career to Cardiff. The 37-year-old was Wales' kicking coach during the recent three-game Nations Championship summer campaign.
Having ended his playing career as a Cardiff player-coach as the 2025-26 season came to a close, Halfpenny will remain at the Arms Park. He will work with their senior players and aspiring academy talent as a skills coach.
What did Halfpenny say about staying at Cardiff?
Halfpenny said he is looking forward to continuing his work with the squad and helping the next generation of players develop.
There is a great group of players, who I enjoyed working with last season, and I believe I can add value to the group, while also helping the young players coming through.
It was a huge honour to work with Wales again this summer, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to bringing that experience back to the club.
Why does Cardiff value his experience?
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl believes Halfpenny's achievements make him an important addition to the coaching staff. Halfpenny scored 801 points in 101 Wales caps and was a highly respected three-time Lions tourist.
It is clear and evident from last year's work that all of our kickers improved. He is so professional and diligent in everything he does, so now moving into a full-time role I am excited to see the impact he will have.
He will work with all of our kickers from goal-kicking and touch-kicking etcetera to our scrum-halves and their technique, but he will also work within the academy, which will be really beneficial for his growth and development as a coach.
He has a great future as a coach and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to the Arms Park following another great experience with the national squad.
Halfpenny scored 570 points in 90 games over two stints with Cardiff, and Cardiff expect his full-time role to include work with goal-kicking, touch-kicking and scrum-half technique, as well as academy coaching. His experience with Wales and the British and Irish Lions is expected to support both senior and developing players at the Arms Park.
