Henson's future in rugby union remains in doubt

New Wales rugby league coach Iestyn Harris says he would offer Gavin Henson a stage on which to resurrect his rugby career - if he became available.

Henson has not played for the Ospreys since March and has been placed on unpaid indefinite leave by the region.

He is a keen follower of rugby league and attended a number of Celtic Crusaders matches this summer.

"If he was available to be picked for the squad, then you would be foolish not to pick him." said Harris.

"I'm sure Gavin's got his own ideas of what he wants to do with his career, but, certainly, if he was available then we would certainly pick him."

Henson's attendance at Crusaders matches in the Super League sparked rumours he might switch codes, although the Crusaders admitted they would be unable to buy him out of his existing contract with union outfit the Ospreys.

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But if that contract was terminated and Henson became a free agent then Harris says he would be keen to get the 27-year-old Wales centre involved in the 13-man code.

Harris, who will take charge of his first Wales game in October against England, added: "Gavin is an absolute quality player. His credentials speak for themselves.

"The performances he's put in for the Wales rugby union team and for the Ospreys have been immense over the last five, six, seven years."

Henson has been on unpaid leave from the Ospreys after a succession of injury set-backs.

His lack of match fitness saw him overlooked for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa this summer, having been selected four years earlier for the series in New Zealand.

Henson's latest injury - an ankle problem - flared up during his side's EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat by Gloucester in March.

He has not played since and Ospreys bosses Andrew Hore and Scott Johnson have stated they would give the 27-year-old as much time as he needed to recover from his injury problems.

*Watch the full interview with Iestyn Harris on Sport Wales, BBC TWO Wales, Friday, 25 September, 2100 BST.

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