As a Lion king and BBC TV sports personality of the year runner-up, the Wales full-back may be A-list rugby property but Warren Gatland’s call for self-aggrandisement sits about as comfortably with him as an invitation to a Gay Pride rally would with Vlatimir Putin.

Halfpenny is a hero of the shy and retiring kind who delights in pushing himself to the back of the queue for attention. Hard luck.

After his extraordinary 2013, he will be under the spotlight as never before in the 2014 championship as he and Wales seek to hit the heights of last year again.

“Last year was a year I’ll never forget what with winning the Six Nations with Wales and winning the series with the Lions,” said Halfpenny.

“I’m very fortunate to have been involved in two very special teams. I feel very privileged.

“I’ll just try to do what I have been doing and that’s working hard in training, improving my skills, doing my analysis and my extras and maintaining the standards I set myself. It’s about trying to make the most of every day.

“I’m trying to see where I can improve myself as a player. I’m looking for little details here and there whether that it be with handling or high ball catching.

“I’m trying to get hands on the ball more to try to make a few line breaks and create opportunities for us to score tries.

“I want to do the best I can for the team and that starts on Saturday against a good Italy team. It’s going to be a big challenge and one the squad is really looking forward to.”

In truth it is a gentle start to Wales’s defence. Italy, who have never won in Cardiff, are stubborn up front but vulnerable to a shredding out wide and having won the championship on points difference last season, Gatland is keen for Wales to rack up the tries once the game is won with the roof closed.