Henson should not start - Davies

Gavin Henson has not played for Wales in almost a year

Wales legend Jonathan Davies says Gavin Henson should not be thrown into the starting line-up against France in Paris a week on Friday.

Ospreys centre Henson has missed the two opening Six Nations wins with a calf injury but will be fit for selection along with Shane Williams.

But Davies told Scrum V that the current partnership of Tom Shanklin and Jamie Roberts is working.

"I don't think I would start him now, because they are going well," he said.

Injury-plagued Henson was picked for the opening match against Scotland, but pulled out with a calf injury, meaning his missed out on his 29th cap.

Blues centre Shankin, 29, was brought in to partner Roberts and he marked his selection with a try against Scotland in the 26-13 win.

He deputised again in Saturday's 23-15 win over England with Henson still out.

But with Henson now available, he could push for a place in the starting XV.

Wales are joint top of the Six Nations table with Ireland with two wins each, but Ireland lead on points difference.

606: DEBATE

They next face a stiff test against France away in Paris on Friday, 27 February.

But Henson has not played at international level for almost a year, against France in the Grand Slam decider.

And he is also lacking match fitness, his last game being in the Ospreys' 15-9 win over Leicester in the Heineken Cup last month.

There is a chance for him to get some game time if he plays for the Ospreys in the Magners League against Connacht this weekend.

But Davies has reservations.

He said: "Gavin has said he was a little short of match practise going into the Six Nations.

"He needs to play and even then, the centre partnership is going really well.

"Do we put him on the bench? That would be hard on [replacement] Andrew Bishop."

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