Wales star Halfpenny misses Scarlets match

Leigh Halfpenny remains a doubt for the Six Nations clash with England after the Wales star was left out of the Scarlets team to face Benetton Treviso this weekend.

The British and Irish Lions full-back has not featured since November, having suffered concussion while playing for Wales against Australia in Cardiff.

However, Halfpenny reported for training with the national team this week and was then released to return to the Scarlets, seemingly hinting at his return in Pro14 action on Saturday.

Yet Halfpenny has been left out of the region’s matchday squad, not even making the bench just a week before Wales’ crunch Six Nations meeting with England at Principality Stadium.

Team Announcement | Cyhoeddiad Tîm
Here’s the team heading to Treviso to face @BenettonRugby tomorrow evening
Dyma’r tîm sy’n teithio i Treviso i wynebu Benetton nos yfory #inthepack #ynypac pic.twitter.com/pRv1Sd8chG

— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) February 15, 2019

Both Wales and England have won their first two matches of the campaign, but Halfpenny’s absence would prove a blow to Warren Gatland’s men.

There was at least better news on Scarlets team-mate Rhys Patchell, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, as he was named among the replacements against Treviso.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta