Leigh Halfpenny began his rugby career with the Ospreys at age-grade level, enjoying successful stints with both the U18 and U20 squads before being called up to play for Wales at U18 level in the Home Nations Championship in 2006.

The following season Halfpenny was again on Wales duty, this time with the U19s in the IRB U19 World Championship in Belfast. He scored a try against Argentina and a brace against Samoa, ending the tournament with 57 points thanks to his goal-kicking ability.

Halfpenny made the switch from the Ospreys to Cardiff RFC ahead of the 2007-2008 season, before playing a starring role for Wales in the IRB Junior World Championship in the summer of 2008. His performances during the championship and an injury to Blues wing Tom James saw Halfpenny begin his career in regional rugby with a bang.

In his first six starts for the Blues, Halfpenny touched down seven times, including a brace against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup. His try-scoring from led to a call-up into Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the 2008 autumn internationals. Following an injury to Scarlets wing Mark Jones, Halfpenny was thrust into action against World Champions South Africa, opening the scoring with a nerveless penalty.

He retained his place for the following match with Canada, scoring two tries, and was also in action as Wales slipped to a defeat at the hands of the All Blacks.

Selected for the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa but had to return home due to the recurrence of a thigh injury without featuring in the Tests.

Halfpenny was a key part of the Wales squad for the following two campaigns but he was constantly plagued by injury. But boss Gatland kept the faith with Halfpenny and the Blues winger did enough to force his way into the squad for the 2011 World Cup.

He played a key part in their campaign scoering against Fiji and starting their quarter-final against Ireland. He featured against France in the semi-finals but was unable to prevent them from crashing out.

And come the 2012 Six Nations, Halfpenny had established himself as Wales' first choice fullback. He nailed eight points against Ireland and went on to score two tries aganist Scotland in the second match. He kept the kicking duties for the rest of the tournament and kept the scoreboard ticking over against England, Italy and France to help them towards the Grand Slam.

With the likes of Alex Cuthbert and Gethin Jenkins looking set to pursue careers in France, Halfpenny's name was linked with a switch but Cardiff remain adamant that he will stay with the Blues.

Wales went through a terrible period for the rest of 2012 but Halfpenny played a crucial role in turning round their form and helping them to retain their Six Nations crown in 2013. His goalkicking and assured presence at fullback was crucial for Wales and he was rewarded by winning the player of the tournament award.

His scintillating form also saw him selected for his second tour with the British & Irish Lions.