Wales great Halfpenny linked with Beziers move

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions back Leigh Halfpenny is being linked with a move to French second-tier club Beziers.

The 36-year-old's contract with English Premiership side Harlequins finishes at the end of the season.

Although Quins head coach Danny Wilson is a confirmed fan of the experience and mentoring opportunities that Halfpenny offers, the full-back or wing's playing time this campaign has been limited to 562 minutes spread over 10 appearances.

Halfpenny is no stranger to French rugby, having joined powerhouse Toulon from Cardiff in 2014, playing three seasons - and winning the 2015 European Champions Cup - with them before returning to Wales to join Scarlets in 2017.

An injury-hit 2023-24 Super Rugby Pacific season with New Zealand side Crusaders was followed by the move to Harlequins for this season.

But a return to France could be on the cards, with Rugbyrama reporting, external that Halfpenny has recently visited the Stade Raoul-Barrière where he met with Beziers president Bob Skinstad, the South Africa back row great, and Johnny Howard who will take over as the club's director of rugby in July.

Beziers are one of the fallen giants of French rugby and the club has ambitious plans to gain promotion to the Top 14 league.

Halfpenny won 101 caps for Wales and also played four Tests for the Lions over three tours - including being named player of the series in the 2013 Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia.

His experience, which also includes playing in three World Cups for Wales, would bring an added dimension to the Beziers set-up and offer the chance for Halfpenny to extend his playing career and get more minutes on the pitch.