Gavin Henson in training with Saracens boss Brendan Venter

Gavin Henson believes his chances of returning for Wales in the Six Nations following his 20-month absence have been boosted by their poor autumn form.

While Henson continued to pursue his dream of winning Strictly Come Dancing, Wales failed to beat Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.

Saracen Henson was disappointed Wales did not fare better than that.

But he said: "The boys haven't done too well so I've probably got a good chance of getting back in there."

Henson was speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Roy Noble show on Monday, 29 November as the fall-out from Wales' autumn Tests continued.

I'm feeling good. I'm not too far off the pace so before the end of the year I should be playing and hopefully get a couple of games in before the Six Nations Gavin Henson

The ex-Ospreys player has not played since March, 2009 because of injuries and private life problems.

He believes Wales redeemed themselves in some respects with their performance in the 25-37 defeat by New Zealand, having drawn 16-16 with Fiji in their previous encounter.

Henson, who joined English Premiership side Saracens from the Welsh region in October, said: "We looked pretty good to be fair - a lot better than the Fiji game, just disappointing we haven't beaten one of those big teams again."

In the wake of losing to the All Blacks, Wales' Kiwi coach Warren Gatland expressed his wish for Henson to make a successful return to rugby when his commitment to Strictly Come Dancing ends.

Even if Henson reaches the BBC show's final on the weekend of 18-19 December, he will not be available to return to top-flight action until Boxing Day when Saracens face Wasps at Wembley Stadium.

The player is not registered to play in Saracens' pre-Christmas Heineken Cup games against French side Racing Metro.

Highlights - Wales 25-37 New Zealand

However, should he be voted off on the weekends of either 4-5 or 11-12 December, Saracens could re-introduce Henson to rugby when their A team face Harlequins on 13 December.

Henson, who hopes to successfully switch from centre to fly-half on his return, added: "It's nice he's [Gatland] thinking about me [for the Six Nations]. Hopefully that's the plan. Obviously I'm with Saracens now so I'm doing my rugby training as well.

"I'm feeling good. I'm not too far off the pace so before the end of the year I should be playing and hopefully get a couple of games in before the Six Nations.

"And I suppose the boys haven't done too well so I've probably got a good chance of getting back in there.

"For me, I'm not sure how it's going to go, I haven't played for so long, nearly 18 months.

"I believe it's going to go well and that's the plan - I want to be in that Six Nations and I think we are due another Grand Slam now - 2005, 2008 and 2011, hopefully.

"It's always been in my plan, in my diary to try and get back into the Six Nations, to do well and go on to the World Cup.

"I believe that's going to happen. I just hope I can do it now on the field."

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