Leigh Halfpenny given harsh welcome to English rugby

Harlequins defeated Championship side London Scottish 35-0 at the Stoop at the weekend, as both sides prepared their squads for the season ahead.

There were plenty of new names on both sides to get excited about, particularly Quins’ new Welsh contingent of Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones.

The match remained tight throughout much of the first half, with both sides heading into the break scoreless. The second half did, however, demonstrate the sheer canyon of quality between the two sides, as Quins capitalised on multiple London Scottish mistakes with expert precision.

London Scottish will have been pleased with their first-half effort against the former Premiership champions. Will Brown, in particular, will remember his notable hit on the former British and Irish Lion, Leigh Halfpenny, for a long time to come.

Watch it here:

A welcome from London Scottish to Leigh Halfpenny to English rugby…#forthepride pic.twitter.com/1PilmrPWpc

— London Scottish Rugby (@LSFCOfficial) September 10, 2024

Leigh Halfpenny Bio

Halfpenny made his Wales debut in 2008 and retired from Test rugby in November last year following a glittering international career. The fullback achieved 101 caps and 801 points for Wales representing his country at three Rugby World Cups. He was also capped four times for the British & Irish Lions and was named the Player of the Series in 2013 against Australia.

At club level, Halfpenny has enjoyed stints with Cardiff Blues, RC Toulon and Scarlets, making close to 200 appearances in the domestic game. This season the sharpshooter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific, earning his debut against the Queensland Reds in May 2024.