Gavin Henson is unlikely to play in Barbarians match
Gavin Henson is unlikely to play for the Barbarians against South Africa on December 4 at Twickenham, due to his involvement in the television programme
Strictly Come Dancing.
Henson was reported to have accepted an invitation to play for the Barbarians, which would see him return to international rugby.
Henson said, "I haven't committed to the Barbarians, I think they've just used my name for a bit of publicity. I'll just look at that, I'll just see where I am in
Strictly. At the moment I'm just totally concentrating on Strictly, this is the main thing for me at the moment then all that will follow on rugby-wise. I'm committed to
Strictly and that is it really, I haven't committed to the Barbarians.”
The Welsh centre has hinted that he wants to return to play rugby in London so that he can be closer to his family, and that in the future, he would like to play for the Barbarians.
"It's probably something I would like to do in future, but I can understand why they've decided to use my name to try to sell tickets, because at the moment I'm in the public eye a lot. It's a little bit naughty of them, but that's just the day and age,
and that's what seems to be happening around me at the moment.”
Last week contracts manager Mike Burton said that the Barbarians had invited Henson to play, but registrar Alan Evans has back-tracked on Burton’s comments, stating that Henson playing was reliant on his commitments and on his match fitness.
Henson has not played competitive rugby since March 2009.
In other news, The Barbarians have already confirmed that Australian duo Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau, New Zealander Chris Jack and Welsh scrum half Mike Phillips will turn out for the Barbarians.
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