Leigh targets autumn series

Wales play four of the top teams in world rugby - New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Samoa - in this November's Invesco Perpetual Series, which will celebrate 10 years of the Millennium Stadium.

This Friday marks the 10-year anniversary of the Millennium Stadium's first event, Wales' historic 29-19 win over South Africa, played in preparation for Rugby World Cup 99, hosted by Wales later that year.

Halfpenny starred for Cardiff Blues and Wales last season, and was selected for the British and Irish Lions only for his tour to be cut short due to a recurrent thigh injury. Back in Wales for some much needed rest and recuperation ahead of pre-season training with the Blues, Halfpenny claims the chance to line-up against the world's best is a major motivating factor as he watches the Lions from a-far.

"I made my Wales debut against South Africa in last season's Invesco Perpetual series and I remember the amazing atmosphere in a packed Millennium Stadium.

"I'm really looking forward to this year's Invesco Perpetual Series. Playing New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Samoa in the space of a month is an exciting challenge and one we will relish. Hopefully I will get the chance to play international rugby again and it would be great to get four more full houses at the Millennium Stadium to get behind the boys.

"I'm obviously really disappointed not to be involved with the Lions anymore, but on reflection, I have had an unbelievable first season of top class rugby and I'm determined that having to deal with the disappointment of coming home early, coupled with the experience I've gained from training and playing with so many senior players who have already been on two or three Lions tours, will help to make me a better player for the future.

"We came so close to beating South Africa at the Millennium Stadium last November, and we beat Australia, so we will definitely want to build on those results this time around. New Zealand is always a huge Test and is sure to be a target for us when we get back together as a group. I'm sure tickets will be through the roof for that game, and the others too.

"I got a really good chance to show what I can do against Canada last season and the Samoa game in a few months' time will be another such opportunity for players to showcase their talent."

The kick-off times for the games have now been confirmed, starting with the world's no 1 team, New Zealand, playing Warren Gatland's men at 5.15pm on Saturday 7 November, while the current no 3 in the world, Australia, will bring it to a close at the same time on Saturday 28 November, in what the Wallabies hope will be a Grand Slam game, the last of their four end-of-year fixtures against the Home Unions.

The 2009 Invesco Perpetual Series will see the return of the thirteen Welsh players to have run out for the Lions this summer, along with coach Gatland and the five members of his Wales management team currently touring South Africa.

Argentina and Samoa, currently sixth and eleventh in the world will also entertain Welsh fans with their exciting and physical brands of rugby. Samoa come to town in a family-friendly fixture at 7.30pm on Friday 13th November, while Argentina, who lost to Wales 23-18 in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup on October 1 1999, will relive those memories when they challenge Wales to a rematch at 2.30pm on Saturday 21 November.

The clashes against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina will be televised live on BBC network and S4C, while the Friday night fixture against Samoa will be broadcast by BBC Wales and S4C (both available nationally on the digital platform).

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, "We are thrilled to be able to announce this mouth-watering line-up of fixtures to mark the Millennium Stadium's tenth anniversary.

"The home of Welsh rugby was recently named the world's best stadium, and this Invesco Perpetual Series kicks off with Wales taking on the world's top ranked team in New Zealand and continues with some more of the world's best rugby talent on show in every game.

"To be the best you have to play the best and the WRU is committed to bringing the best rugby in the world to Wales."

PRIORITY BOOKING INFO

All WRU clubs and debenture holders have already been offered the chance to take up their allocation of tickets for the four international matches, along with the visiting Unions, but fans can have first refusal on any remaining tickets by logging onto www.wru.co.uk/tickets and following the instructions for priority booking.

All those registered will receive a password which will enable them to purchase tickets before any tickets go on public sale on Friday 10 July. There are already over 8000 supporters on the priority booking list so supporters are urged to register now in order to have a chance of watching Wales at the Millennium Stadium this year. Registration for priority booking closes at noon on Wednesday 1 July.

Invesco Perpetual Series 2009
Saturday 7 November WALES v NEW ZEALAND - 1715
Friday 13 November WALES v SAMOA - 1930
Saturday 21 November WALES v ARGENTINA - 1430
Saturday 28 November WALES v AUSTRALIA - 1715