Cardiff wing and full back Leigh Halfpenny has been voted the overwhelming winner of the Principality Premiership Player of the Month for December.

He helped take the capital side to third place in the table, playing in all three Premiership wins against Measteg, Bedwas and Pontypridd, and adding a total of 40 points to the club tally. He has totalled 101 points and six tries in all games so far this season.

He said, “I’ve settled in really well since joining Cardiff at the end of last season and I feel that playing regularly in the Principality Premiership has really improved my game. It was key for us to do well in December so I’m just glad that as a team we did that and are still in a good position in the League.”

Halfpenny was this week named in the Wales Under 20 Six Nations squad and will line up at Aberavon on Monday night against an Ospreys XV as the Under 20s prepare to face England at Gloucester on February 1. With the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship taking place in Wales in June, this could be a big year for Halfpenny who finished as top scorer at last season’s Under 19 World Championship in Belfast.

Cardiff director of rugby and Blues academy manager Justin Burnell said, “Leigh is a fantastic prospect. He is equally comfortable at both full back and wing, as was seen in the recent game at Sardis Road when he switched positions during the game, and with his stature and a prolific kicking ability, he is very much a player in the mould of a certain Ben Blair.

“He gave an outstanding contribution to the side’s performances throughout December, especially against Bedwas on December 22.

“He has gained 11 kilos in weight since the end of last season, while maintaining his impressive personal best time over 40 metres.

Leigh was voted by a WRU elite performance panel and will receive £100 in a Principality savings account.

Fleur Thomas, Customer Service Consultant at Principality Building Society in Queen Street, Cardiff said, “Congratulations to Leigh Halfpenny on an incredible level of performance throughout last month. His contribution to the December games has given Cardiff a solid League position. Leigh shows great promise and I wish him well for the rest of the season.

“As sponsors of the Principality Building Society Premiership, we are delighted to support some excellent, competitive rugby. I wish Cardiff every success this season.”

Leigh Halfpenny factfile

D.O.B: 22/12/88
Place of Birth: Swansea
Club: Cardiff RFC
Position: Full back / Wing
Nickname: Pence
Player most admired: Christian Cullen
Sportsman most admired: Lance Armstrong
Biggest impact on his career: Malcolm Halfpenny (Grandfather)
Occupation: Rugby player