BBC Sportrugbyunionwelsh

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 20:00 GMT, Thursday, 3 February 2011

Toulon ready to release Gavin Henson for Wales

Henson won the last of his 31 Wales caps against Ireland in 2009
Henson won the last of his 31 Wales caps against Ireland in 2009

Gavin Henson has been told by new club Toulon they will not stand in the way of any future Wales call-up.

Henson joined Toulon for the rest of the season on Thursday after Saracens released him from his contract after only four appearances.

Henson could make his Toulon debut as early as 11 February against Brive after recovering from a calf injury.

"Toulon are keen for me to play for my country. They are happy with that," said 29-year-old Henson.

"Obviously if I'm playing for my country I'm playing well. So that works for them.

"So I will be released [to Wales] for all games and all training."

But at the moment he is off the Wales radar. He was not considered by Wales coach Warren Gatland for his 28-man after the 31-times capped international made only one start for Saracens after joining them in a high-profile deal from Welsh region the Ospreys in October in 2010.

Henson has signed with Toulon for five months with an option of a further two years, hoping his time there is more memorable than his brief stay at Sarries which included an anonymous 53-minute outing in the Premiership defeat to Sale at Edgeley Park.

But Henson, desperate to be in Wales' Six Nations squad, had voiced his concern at not being given any game time at Saracens.

But it looks as if he will walk in to the Toulon starting line-up against Brive on if he proves his fitness.

"That was part of the decision when I spoke to Philippe [Saint-Andre]," added Henson.

"I said: 'I want to 12' and he said he would use me a 12 and wanted me to start straight away.

"He said: 'while Jonny [Wilkinson] isn't [here] we haven't got a back-up 10' so I can obviously fill in as a back-up 10.

"Hopefully I can do that soon against Brive next week. If I'm any good and just hopefully wait for a Welsh call-up at some point if they need me.

"The calf is ready to go now. It's nearly three weeks. It feels fine so I'll be ready to go on Monday [in training].

"If I did get the call for Wales during the Six Nations obviously Toulon will let me go back and that's fine.

"Obviously I haven't been playing enough rugby and the form isn't there yet, so I can't expect to be called in with Wales yet. So I just hope to play regular rugby with Toulon now and see what comes of it.

"Toulon won't stand in the way of Welsh honours."

The Toulon calls comes because they are without Wilkinson, away on Six Nations duty, and Felipe Contepomi is out injured.

On the Toulon call, Henson said: "I think it's they were just keen to get a kicker in the team while Jonny's not there.

"I think they have had a couple of backs gone down and obviously I made them aware that I could get out of my contract [with Saracens] because I haven't been playing at Saracens. I just want to be playing.

If I can learn to dance then I can learn French!

Gavin Henson

"That was just a rugby decision really. Hopefully I keep impressing them and do well and stay there for a long time."

Henson had originally said he had moved to Saracens to be closer to his two children, but he has defended his transfer to France.

"My family are behind me 100%. They are keen for me to do it. It is such a massive opportunity. It's a rugby decision at the end of the day, but my parents will bring my kids over. I will come over at some point so I will still see them."

Added Henson: "My French is terrible. I have no idea. But I'm doing my French lessons now as soon as I get in the club.

"I have to do it for three days [a week] for two hours each day, so I should pick it up pretty quickly hopefully.

"If I can learn to dance then I can learn French!"

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal added: "I'm convinced that Gavin Henson is a huge player and that Gavin will play the World Cup with Wales."



Print Sponsor


see also
Henson completes switch to Toulon
03 Feb 11 |  Saracens
Henson suffers Six Nations blow
17 Jan 11 |  Welsh
Gatland in Henson Wales warning
07 Jan 11 |  Welsh
Henson links up with Wales squad
04 Jan 11 |  Welsh
'Delighted' Henson joins Saracens
28 Oct 10 |  Saracens
Henson was not a PR stunt - Griffiths
03 Feb 11 |  Saracens


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites