Henson relishing Toulon chance

Gavin Henson
12 April 2012

Gavin Henson is desperate to get started after being given a "massive opportunity" at Toulon.

The versatile Welsh star joined the French Top 14 side as a 'medical wildcard' on Thursday to cover Clement Marienval, having been released from his contract at Saracens after just one start for the club. The 29-year-old will join England internationals Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Sackey at Toulon.

"It was just a massive opportunity for me. I couldn't really pass up on it," Henson told BBC Wales.

Henson had been largely used as an outside centre during his four appearances for Sarries and is looking forward to the opportunity to revert to his favoured inside centre or fly-half positions.

"[Director of rugby] Philippe [Saint-Andre] was really keen for me to play 12 at Toulon and more or less start playing next week," he added. "[I'll] also cover 10 when Jonny's not there, and to obviously play alongside Jonny Wilkinson, that is going to be amazing. I think it's going to be great for me and I can't wait to start on Monday with them."

Henson had hoped his return to the game would be enough to convince Wales head coach Warren Gatland to include him in his squad for the upcoming RBS 6 Nations, but a calf injury suffered almost three weeks ago against Leinster in the Heineken Cup extinguished his hopes of selection.

The move to France should allow Henson to play in his preferred roles and boost his chances of making a first World Cup appearance in New Zealand later this year. And that was welcomed by Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards, who says Henson needs to follow the example of Andy Powell if he is to rediscover his best form.

Number eight Powell has started to show what he is capable of after moving to Wasps last summer in the wake of being found guilty of drink-driving after piloting a golf buggy up the hard shoulder of the M4 following last season's thrilling win over Scotland.

Powell will start at number eight in tomorrow's Six Nations opener against England in Cardiff and Edwards, who coaches Powell at Wasps, said: "Andy Powell is an example of a guy who needed to play regular rugby to find his best form.

"Ideally the Welsh public would like to see Gavin play his rugby in Wales, but Andy was a guy who was not wanted in Wales and he moved on and has returned in fine fettle. Let's hope that Gavin has an injury-free run, just like you would want any player to have, to enjoy the game."

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