:lol:
GAVIN HENSON has threatened to 'sue' the Ospreys for unpaid wages from his time out of the game, managing director Mike Cuddy has claimed.
The Wales and Lions centre's bid to leave the region has been the subject of a huge amount of emotional debate since Henson went public with his desire to play for a London club last week.
The Ospreys have so far refused to release him from his contract, which has until the end of this season to run, though elite performance director Andrew Hore has said they will listen to any offers they may receive.
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But the stand-off has now taken an extraordinary twist with Cuddy's revelation that legal eagles acting for Henson have demanded more than £150,000 in back pay, despite the Wales Grand Slam winner of 2005 and 2008 taking voluntary unpaid leave 13 months ago in an effort to overcome mentally sapping injuries.
Cuddy said: "I don't want to pick a fight with Gav but you wonder whether he needs someone to give him a friendly clip around the ear and say 'hang on a minute'.
"It's no secret that Gavin sat in my office in July last year and said he needed some time away from the game for personal reasons.
"He told me he felt he was taking money from us under false pretences, which wasn't the case.
"It was Gavin, who suggested there and then to take unpaid leave.
"To get a solicitors' letter threatening to sue us for unpaid wages over the last 12 months is very disappointing to say the least.
"This is a new one on me. You have to wonder about the advice he is getting.
"We have given him every possible support since he last played for us 18 months ago.
"Sometimes he gives the impression of not knowing what he wants."
Cuddy insisted Henson had told him, two months ago, he would return to action with the Ospreys this season.
But the player has failed to show up for training and hasn't been named in their squad for this season's Heineken Cup competition.
Henson is now committed to taking part in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show until Christmas.
"Gavin says he wants a fresh start but we have had no approaches from any club," Cuddy told The Rugby Paper.
"I have told him: 'If and when you decide to play rugby again with such-and-such a club, get them to call me'.
"I'm not saying you can't go but I'm not ripping up your contract.
"All I'm trying to do is protect our rugby club. This is about Ospreylia."
Meanwhile, London Irish coach Toby Booth has moved to distance the English Aviva Premiership outfit from signing centre, outside-half or full-back Henson.
Booth, who last week seemed full of luring Henson to the Exiles, has back-tracked, now claiming there is little chance the 28-year-old will make his way to Reading's Madejski Stadium.
Henson has indicated his preference for a playing switch to London, but Irish have followed their Premiership rivals Wasps, Saracens and Harlequins in effectively scotching such a scenario.
"There are a significant amount of things to consider before that (signing Henson) even becomes a possibility," said Booth.
"Is he the right player for the club? Is he the right player for the culture of the club? Is he the right sort of player for the way that we want to play?
"What is his motivation for him playing because, actually, it is not about us doing Gavin Henson a favour.
"Ultimately, we are here to be a serious contender in what we are trying to do.
"If he wants to contribute to that, of course we will have a conversation.
"But we haven't spoken to him, and I don't expect to speak to him.
"It will be my decision, but I haven't even had a conversation with my players yet because I don't think it warrants it.
"I would say there is less than a one per cent chance (of signing Henson), or maybe even lower."
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn.../ospreys-fury-at-henson-claim-91466-27307122/
