Six Nations 2015: Leigh Halfpenny says 2013 title can inspire Wales

Leigh Halfpenny has won 58 caps for Wales and made three Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions

Leigh Halfpenny says Wales' 2013 Six Nations title can inspire them to another Championship this year.

Having lost to England on the opening weekend, Wales are back in contention after beating Scotland and France.

Halfpenny reacted emotionally to the win in Paris and, before Saturday's key match against Ireland, he thinks Wales can take heart from their 2013 revival.

"That experience will bode well for us," the 26-year-old Toulon full-back said.

"As a squad there are a lot of players involved now that were involved then and were part of that Championship side in 2013."

Wales lost the opening match of the 2013 Six Nations to Ireland, before recovering to retain their title with a crushing 30-3 victory over England.

There have been echoes of that comeback in this year's competition, with Wales bouncing back from their loss to England with successive wins.

They are level on four points with second-placed England, two points behind leaders Ireland.

Victory against unbeaten Ireland would keep alive Welsh hopes of a fifth title in 11 seasons, with a trip to Italy to follow on the final weekend.

Halfpenny will be expected to play a prominent role at the Millennium Stadium, as he did when he kicked 15 of Wales' points in their 20-13 win against France.

After the final whistle at Stade de France, the former Cardiff Blues man was seen crying as he embraced his girlfriend.

It led some to wonder what might have prompted such an emotional response, though Halfpenny says it was simply the enormity of the match.

"It was just a big game and I'm always proud to put on that Welsh jersey," he said.

"Every time I do it it's a huge honour and it just overcame me."