Volkswacht Bodensee - Halfpenny out of Six Nations opener due to injury

NYSE - LSE
RBGPF 6% 68.14 $
CMSC -1.98% 19.73 $
RYCEF -3.19% 18.8 $
GSK 0.89% 47.02 $
RIO -2.93% 93.16 $
BTI 1.65% 53.9 $
BP -1.12% 44.51 $
BCE 0.05% 19.76 $
NGG -0.97% 76.11 $
AZN 0.94% 160.12 $
VOD 1.55% 16.79 $
BCC -3.47% 72.92 $
RELX 1.42% 34.52 $
CMSD -2.37% 19.86 $
JRI -1.33% 10.49 $
Halfpenny out of Six Nations opener due to injury
Halfpenny out of Six Nations opener due to injury / Photo: © POOL/AFP

Halfpenny out of Six Nations opener due to injury

Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of Wales' Six Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday due to a back spasm.

Text size:

The full-back was due to win his 98th cap in his first start for 19 months in the opening game of Warren Gatland's second spell in charge.

Halfpenny had overcome a serious knee injury to get himself back into contention for selection.

His replacement for the clash against the top-ranked side in the world at the Principality Stadium will be Cardiff's Liam Williams.

"Unfortunately, Leigh had a back spasm this morning and Liam will be playing," said Wales assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys. "I think it's more disappointing for him as a person. He is an unbelievable professional and an unbelievable person.

"He has got to pick himself up again. You feel for him that he's got to pull out at this late stage."

J.Bergmann--BTB