February talks for Henson

[Bullitt]

Wales international Gavin Henson could be set to make a shock return to rugby, Ospreys Managing Director Mike Cuddy has revealed.

The versatile British & Irish Lion is currently on indefinite unpaid leave with the region in a bid to overcome injuries and work out his future in rugby.

However, the double Wales Grand Slam-winning centre will reportedly sit down with Ospreys bosses in the next few weeks to discuss whether he will be able to feature in the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup.

If the Ospreys triumph in Pool Three, Henson could yet be one of three players picked to supplement the team's bid for European glory.

Cuddy is hoping that the 27-year-old, who has won 35 caps for Wales, will make a thrilling comeback this season.

"I am in regular contact with him and the two of us will sit down in early February, once the Heineken Cup qualification games are out of the way," Cuddy told Western Mail.

"Of course, he has been sorely missed. Any team in the world would miss a player of Gavin's quality.

"We will have a chat and see what comes of it."

Despite Cuddy's optimism, Ospreys coach Sean Holley is adamant that Henson will not return before the start of the Six Nations next month.

"I don't see how he could get himself ready, given the time scale," said Holley.

"Even if he did come back today, the modern game and the modern conditioning are such that he wouldn't be able to play for us for a while."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,1...5853338,00.html

 

[dullonien]

Hope this is the start of Henson's return. He obviously won't be ready for the 6 Nations, and even if he was fit, shouldn't be considered. But in a couple months time when he's regained some match fitness with Swansea, he can step back into regional rugby and see how he's doing.

If reports are correct, he's lost alot of bulk, down to under 12st. Whilst that may be a little on the light side, I hope he does decide to keep the bulk down somewhat (14st max), as I personally believe it wasn't helping his injury problems, being over 15st, and also saw him loose alot of running flair he had as a youngster. Look how loosing a stone improved O'Driscoll, year before last!

Not gonna count the chickens before they hatch, as they say. But I think everyone in Wales is hoping Henson can return fully fit and a better player than he's been for the past 5 seasons, but also stay injury free for a few years.

 

[Sir Speedy]

"A shock return". Oh **** off. Who honestly didn't expect him to come back?

 

[dullonien]

Quite a few people if these board are anything to go by. I think the majority of Welsh supporters expected him to return this season, and understood that he really did need a lengthly period off to finally rid him of the injuris he's been suffering since 2005. The media turned the whole thing into a complete farce (big surprise), questioning his unpaid leave status (like that hasn't happened before!) etc.

 

[Thingimubob]

Glad to hear that he's on his way back, thought he would. My mum was certain he'd never come back for some reason :lol: If Hensons back and fit though, whats gonna happen to Hook? With Biggar playing out of his skin at 10 and Henson back playing 12, where's Hook going to fit into the team?

 

[Boyo R C]

That's weird.
I was watching the Welsh news tonight and there was a report on there. Sean Holley basically said Gavin may never play rugby again.
He's 11 stone (154lbs!) now, on unpaid leave and is trying to train on his own.

I know you can never believe the media, but bloody hell talk about contrasting reports!

 

[Bullitt]

You know, I'd love it if he is really only 11 stone, get's selected against England and then gets dump-tackled by Tait.

Then we'd definitely never have him playing again...

 

[dullonien]

lol

 

[Boyo R C]

Im scared if he's only 11 stone.
Hes over 6ft tall. Im 5ft9 and i'm 11stone! And i'm skinny!

 

[GJ#1]

Well Church has probably nicked his weight!

In all seriousness, if he was to comeback now or at the end of the month, he would have to be shipped out to either Neath or Swansea for at least 2 months to gain some match fitness and then comeback to the Ospreys and train and get used to the system again. By that time the season is over.

I have a feeling this will be an option but I do see him not coming back to play until next season!

 

[Thingimubob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GJ#1 @ Jan 13 2010, 01:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well Church has probably nicked his weight!

In all seriousness, if he was to comeback now or at the end of the month, he would have to be shipped out to either Neath or Swansea for at least 2 months to gain some match fitness and then comeback to the Ospreys and train and get used to the system again. By that time the season is over.

I have a feeling this will be an option but I do see him not coming back to play until next season![/b]

Ah you've got a point there actually, tbh I'll be a very happy man if he's fit and available for Wales by the AI 2010, and more importantly, the 2011 RWC.

About his weight, Jonathan Davies has been saying for ages that he reckons Hensons bulk has been a likely cause of all his injuries. But out of interest, was Henson lighter during the 05 Grandslam? I mean he had plenty of flair then and was a very hard tackler.

 

[cyRil]

He can't possibly be 11st! I'm 12st 8lbs fercryinoutloud, and he was over 15st!!! Being around 13.5-14st is probably best for him and will possibly help with his injuries; he was too big for his natural frame.

 

[david0404]

I personally hope that Henson does eventually come back whether it is next month or in six months time. But what i do believe is that he should not be rushed into a return as it could wreck his career even further. it is essential that he is eased back into rugby and if he is to return in February we have to give him months to let him return to his best.