Henson sends out mixed message
Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:21
Poster boy: Gavin Henson modelling the new Welsh shirt.
Gavin Henson has been on unpaid leave from his club, the Ospreys, for 18 months, but that hasn't stopped the Welsh Rugby Union from choosing him to front their new shirt campaign.
The 28-year-old centre has not played since March 2009, but the two-time Grand Slam winner has said he wants to launch his comeback in time to secure a berth in Wales' squad for the World Cup in New Zealand next year.
"I've never been to a World Cup which is coming up in 2011 and I'm thinking about training for that," said Henson, who recently split up from his long-term partner Charlotte Church, the singer-songwriter and TV presenter and mother of his two children.
"Hopefully I can get back into rugby, do well and get into the World Cup squad. It's the one thing that is not on my CV."
Concerns over his stagnant resume are something that has not bothered a major sports clothing giant and the WRU's jersey providers.
The WRU unveiled the new season's range on Wednesday, modelled "by a number of current international players including Ryan Jones, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts and James Hook, alongside images from a new marketing campaign which features well known Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson".
Henson said: "When the Welsh Rugby Union asked me to be one of the first to put on the new kit to help with their marketing campaign I had no hesitation.
"As a passionate Welshman I have always felt a great sense of pride whenever I have had the privilege of being able to wear the national jersey and this occasion was no different."
So, the question is where does that leave Henson.
With one year left on his Ospreys contract, and the World Cup starting in exactly one year's time, the player has signed up to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, a BBC reality television show in which "personalities" turn their hand to ballroom
dancing.
Henson will be joined by magician Paul Daniels, former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams, actress Felicity Kendal, ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and former MP Ann Widdecombe, among others, in the prime-time programme that launches on Saturday.
Having also just completed another reality show 71 Degrees North, Henson nevertheless seems not to have been ruled out of the WRU's set-up.
But Scott Johnson, Henson's Director of Coaching at Ospreys, said that he remains "still in the dark" over any plans the player may have.
Wales coach Warren Gatland, who is keen to end the Lion's self-imposed rugby exile, added: "If he's going to put himself in the frame it's got to be sooner rather than later.
"If it's not until the new year it's potentially going to be too late - he's been out of the game for a while.
"I haven't spoken to Gavin but it would be great to see him back on
the rugby field.
"I had a quick conversation with him last year and we were going to meet up but we didn't.
"I have spoken to his agent and I just think it's a loss for the game. He's a talented player," who won the last of his 31 caps against Ireland in last year's Six Nations.
AFP
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