Gavin Henson poised for Saracens Wembley debut

Gavin Henson has not played competitive rugby for over a year

Gavin Henson now looks set to make his Saracens debut on Boxing Day against Wasps at Wembley.

Wales centre Henson, 28, signed by Sarries in October, has yet to feature because of his involvement with the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

But chief executive Ed Griffiths told BBC Three Counties Radio that the Wasps game looks like the perfect stage.

"If you're looking at it, the Wembley match looks like a grand stage for what could be a grand occasion," he said.

"Obviously, selection of the team is very much up to the coaches, but it's funny how things seem to work out.

"Maybe Gavin Henson's Saracens debut could take place on the grandest stage in English sport at Wembley Stadium."

He's making outstanding progress and it won't be long before we see him on the field in a Saracens shirt

Chief executive Ed Griffiths

Saracens have a busy period of fixtures approaching, including Heineken Cup clashes, and injury concerns to the likes of Kameli Ratuvou, Alex Goode and Derick Hougaard.

And Griffiths believes that the 31-times capped former Ospreys back would be fit enough to feature, if called upon.

"Gavin hadn't played competitive rugby for over a year, so he was always going to take some training to get back to fitness," he said.

"But he's looking exceptional in training. The coaches are delighted with his progress over the last few weeks.

"And it won't be long before we see him on the field in a Saracens shirt."

Griffiths added that Brendan Venter's recent decision to quit his job as director of rugby had nothing to do with his disciplinary issues.

South African Venter received two separate match-day bans in 2010 from the Rugby Football Union.

And in November he was fined £21,850, £13,100 of which is suspended until June 2012, by European Rugby Cup for suggesting referees were underprepared for this season's Heineken Cup competition after a defeat by Leinster.

"I think most people would see the punishments handed out to him recently, specifically by European Rugby after making what amounted to a few tactical observations after the Leinster game, were certainly heavy handed," said Griffiths.

"That's really a side issue, I don't think that's going to affect him at all.

"This decision [to quit] has absolutely nothing to do with the ERC or RFU."