Dislocated shoulder ends Leigh Halfpenny’s season

Welsh fullback had enjoyed faultless kicking display in defeat to England

Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny reacts as medical staff check his injured shoulder during the Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham. Photograph:   Andrew Fosker/Inpho
Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny reacts as medical staff check his injured shoulder during the Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Inpho

Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny will miss the rest of this season after dislocating his right shoulder during the Six Nations defeat against England at Twickenham.

Halfpenny, who kicked all Wales’ points with six penalties, was comfortably his team’s best player.

But Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed in his post-match press conference the extent of Halfpenny's injury.

Halfpenny is believed to have suffered the injury when he tackled England centre Luther Burrell in the second half.

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Burrell would have scored his second try of the game, but his foot hit the touchline in the process of touching down, with Halfpenny forced to tackle with his wrong side to bundle the Englishman into touch.

Halfpenny also suffered a heavy fall when contesting a high ball with England's Jack Nowell.

“Leigh has dislocated his shoulder,” Gatland said. “That will be Leigh’s season over, which is disappointing for him.”

Scarlets back Liam Williams will be favourite to replace Halfpenny in next Saturday's final Six Nations game against Scotland in Cardiff.

Scrumhalf Rhys Webb also went off injured, suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury, but there was no immediate fitness update on him.

Gatland is due to announce his team to face Scotland on Tuesday.