Wales’ defence coach Shaun Edwards suggests Gavin Henson return
Welsh defence coach Shaun Edwards hinted that head coach Warren Gatland may pick Gavin Henson for the nations opening game against England in the Six Nations next year.
The centre signed a deal with Saracens this week and is expected to join up with the side after his commitments with the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing end.
The British and Irish Lions had been on unpaid leave from his former club the Ospreys for over a year and a half. The player was keen to make his return to rugby with a London based club, in order to be
close to his family.
"It's fantastic for Welsh rugby to get one of our best players back fit and available. Everyone wants their best players available. We are suffering from injuries and Gavin is a quality player," said Edwards.
The Welsh defensive coach believes that Henson will add a winning mentality to the team if selected for the Six Nations and that Aviva Premiership side Saracens will be ideal for the versatile centre.
"Around the time of the Six Nations he should be firing on all cylinders if he stays fit. There seems a correlation with Gavin playing and Wales winning. I'm pretty sure he will cope well in the Premiership,
he's at a good club in Saracens and he loves the big stage," said Edwards.
However, former Welsh wing Adrian Hadley believes that Gatland will be placed in an awkward situation if he recalls Henson.
"It would put Gatland in an extremely difficult situation because he has always said he prefers Welsh-based players. Gatland is a very, very big fan of Gavin Henson and if he starts performing at Saracens
he will have no option, but to pick him."
Gatland will not have to reveal his plans for Henson until next year. For now, the New Zealander will be only focused on the Autumn Internationals.
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