Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has confirmed that he has received permission from Toulon to participate in the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand next summer.
There had been fears that Halfpenny, who was the Lions' man of the series in the 2-1 victory against Australia in 2013, wouldnot be allowed to join the tour which clashes with the end of the domestic French season. The Top 14 play-offs begin on May 20 with the final on June 6, by which time the Lions would be playing the second game of their tour.
Yet the 27 year-old, who has scored 508 points in 62 Tests, says that he has received permission from Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal to play a full part in the 10-match tour if he is selected.
"We have an agreement with Mourad Boudjellal," Halfpenny told L'Equipe, the French sports newspaper. "When I extended for this season, it was expected that I be released if I was selected for the British Lions tour.
"It falls right during the finals of the Top 14, and if I am selected, I will miss the end of the season. The staff and the president told me that having a player selected with the Lions would be an honour for the club.
"All this is still in a long time. To be with the Lions, you have to be good at your club. I have come back from a big injury, and for now, I am focused on being good with Toulon."
The speculation that Halfpenny would not be released was well founded. Boudjellal drives a notoriously hard bargain and has shown little inclination to help the home nations in the past.
After winning the European Champions Cup with Toulon in 2015, Halfpenny suffered a serious knee injury in a World Cup warm-up game which ruled him out for nearly 10 months.
