Rugby World Cup Gallery

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) holds a daffodil

Rugby Union - 2011 Rugby World Cup - Wales vs. Samoa at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) after the match, holds a daffodil.
Stephen Leigh Halfpenny (born 22 December 1988) is a Welsh international rugby union player who plays for the Cardiff Blues in the Pro12. Halfpenny was a key part of the Wales squad for the following two campaigns but he was constantly plagued by injury. Coach Warren Gatland had faith in Halfpenny, and the Blues winger did enough to force his way into the squad for the 2011 World Cup.
During the World Cup, Halfpenny impressed in many positions, particularly at full-back. It was also in this game that Halfpenny became first choice kicker, ahead of fly halves Rhys Priestland and James Hook. In the semi final against France, Halfpenny attempted a 47 yard penalty that would have taken Wales to the final. However, the kick fell inches short

© colorsport

World Cup winners meet the Queen

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II poses, with the England rugby squad at a reception at Buckingham Palace in London to celebrate winning the Rugby World Cup. Earlier the squad had paraded the trophy through the West End in a procession of open-topped buses. Back row (L-R): Jason Robinson, Julian White, Trevor Woodman, Steve Thompson, Mike Catt, Iain Balshaw, Dan Luger, Stuart Abbott, Andy Gomarsall, Josh Lewsey and Jason Leonard. Centre row ( L-R): Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Joe Worsley, Martin Corry, Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock, Will Greenwood, Lewis Moody, Richard Hill, Mark Regan and Simon Shaw. Front row (L-R): Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson, Dorian West, Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson, Her Majesty, Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Back, Phil Vickery and Kyran Bracken. 26/10/2004 The squad are lining up to receive their honours from the Queen, Tuesday October 26, 2004. Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and then team captain Martin Johnson have already received recognition from the Queen for their contribution. Now it is the turn of the rest of the team who will receive OBEs at the Palace from 11am. Back row (L-R): Jason Robinson, Julian White, Trevor Woodman, Steve Thompson, Mike Catt, Iain Balshaw, Dan Luger, Stuart Abbott, Andy Gomarsall, Josh Lewsey and Jason Leonard. Centre row ( L-R): Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Joe Worsley, Martin Corry, Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock, Will Greenwood, Lewis Moody, Richard Hill, Mark Regan and Simon Shaw. Front row (L-R): Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson, Dorian West, Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson, Her Majesty, Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Back, Phil Vickery and Kyran Bracken

© PA/EMPICS

Filer-Rugby-Wc2003-Nzl-Catt-Lomu

(FILER) New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu runs through England's fullback Mike Catt during the Rugby World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and England 18 June 1995 in Cape Town. Catt, 32 and now a centre for England for the semi-final against France on 16 November 2003, can still vividly remember the 49-25 defeat to All Blacks in Cape Town, South Africa, eight years ago. AFP PHOTO/Vincent AMALVY / AFP PHOTO / VINCENT AMALVY

© Copyright Agence France-Presse (AFP) - All Rights Reserved