Gavin Henson has not played first-class rugby for more than a year

Gavin Henson hopes to make his competitive rugby return for Saracens against Wasps at Wembley on Boxing Day.

The British and Irish Lions back, 28, hopes that if things go well he can win a place in Wales' RBS Six Nations squad - who he says can win the Grand Slam.

"I'm convinced my rugby's going to go well and I'm just going to do everything I can now to try and get in that Six Nations team," Henson said.

"I think we're due another Grand Slam and I want to be part of it."

Henson was a key part of Wales' 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam-winning sides, their first Six Nations clean sweeps since 1978.

Despite the national side's lacklustre autumn campaign - losing to all three Tri-Nations sides and drawing with Fiji - Henson is confident that better times are ahead for Wales in a year that also features a Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The former Ospreys player was knocked out of the semi-finals of the BBC entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing last weekend, freeing him to concentrate on training and playing for new club Saracens.

"I just can't wait to play now and I'm just trying to impress as much as I can now in training with Saracens," added Henson, speaking on BBC Radio Wales' Roy Noble programme.

"I hope it's sooner rather than later because obviously the bigger picture for me is the Six Nations and playing for my country again."

They have used me for promotion for that game so they're going to have to play me now! Gavin Henson

While the Bridgend product realises he has to first force his way into the Saracens side before trying to resurrect his Test career, he hopes that the 26 December London derby with Wasps will see him make his Sarries debut.

"The way I look at it, they have used me for promotion for that game so they're going to have to play me now I'm hoping!" Henson joked.

"I think they've sold 50-60,000 [tickets] so it would be a hell of a game to come back to, I'd love to be involved in that one.

"They've got a couple of injuries so I'm hoping I'll force my way in there... hopefully the game hasn't left me behind too much."

With a lack of reserve fixtures over the holiday period, Henson is unlikely to be able to knock the ring-rust off before stepping out at Wembley - if that is indeed when he makes his return.

"I might just be chucked straight in the deep end but I don't mind that," he said.

"It's a new chapter in my life now, I feel brilliant, I feel really positive."

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