Being selected for the 2009 Lions was ‘a dream come true’ for Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny.
Halfpenny became the youngest Lion since Keith Jarrett when he earned selection for the 10-match tour of South Africa and the 20-year-old revelled in the experience.
Despite injury limiting his tour appearances to just a single non-Test fixture against the Cheetahs, the Welsh youngster will forever remember his time with Britain and Ireland’s elite.
"It was just a dream come true that I’ve managed to put on the Lions jersey,” said Halfpenny, who only made his senior Wales debut in November of last year.
"I could never have expected it at the start of last season.
"I wasn’t out there long and it was the best two weeks of my life – just incredible playing and training with players that I’ve looked up to since I was a young age."
Although his attentions have now turned to another successful season with the Blues and a return to winning ways with Wales, Halfpenny has already set his sights on future honours with the Lions.
Australia is the next destination in four years time and Halfpenny will be doing all he can do be on the plane and in the Test team in 2013.
"It’s [touring Australia with the Lions] got to be a goal, an ultimate goal now to pull on that jersey more than once," added Halfpenny.
"So I’ve got to try and improve my game… and just play the way I play and keep improving.
"Every rugby player’s dream is to play in a Test for the Lions. I’ve had a taste of it so I want another bite of the cherry."
