Leigh Halfpenny joins Wales staff as interim kicking coach

Leigh Halfpenny has joined Wales' management team as interim kicking coach for the Nations Championship summer Tests. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back will work with Steve Tandy's squad as they prepare to face Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.

The role continues Halfpenny's transition from player to coach. He was involved with Wales on last summer's two-Test tour of Japan in a skills position that included kicking work, and he later spent time with Cardiff in a player-coach capacity before making his final professional appearance in May.

Halfpenny brings a notable playing record to the group, having scored 801 points in 101 Wales Tests, placing him third on the national all-time points list behind Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones. Wales had used Rhys Patchell in a part-time kicking role during the autumn and Six Nations, but Patchell has since moved from Dragons to Benetton.

Tandy's backroom staff has grown since his appointment, with Peter Murchie, Dan Lydiate and Paul James also added in specialist roles. Halfpenny's immediate task will be to support the backs and kicking programme as Wales open against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium before travelling to Argentina and South Africa.