Thursday 1 September 2016 16:42, UK
Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has revealed an agreement with his club side Toulon to play in the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand.
Halfpenny, who was the player of the series as the Lions triumphed in the tour of Australia in 2013, was a doubt for the 10-game series next summer due to a fixture clash with the latter stages of the French domestic Top 14 competition.
The 27-year-old has missed much of the last 12 months with a serious knee injury, which ruled him out of the 2015 World Cup and last season's Six Nations, but he returned to action for Toulon in June and has now confirmed he will be available for selection for Lions duty next year.
"We have an agreement with (Toulon president) Mourad Boudjellal," Halfpenny said, in comments reported by L'Equipe.
"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 British and Irish Lions will name their head coach for next summer's tour of New Zealand on September 7, with Halfpenny's Wales coach Warren Gatland expected to take charge for a second consecutive series.
