Gavin Henson started for Bath Friday night against former club Saracens, and has put in good cameos at the start of the season; has he caught Warren Gatland’s eye?
The former Osprey has covered 10, 12 and 15 for Bath and is being used exclusively as a utility player. However, unlike some players this appears to suit Henson very well. The Welshman has been brought on to help Bath regain control of games on several occasions. His range of passing and excellent kicking game has steadied the ship for Bath in the last twenty minutes of games this season.
Just last week against Northampton the game had gotten away from Bath and Northampton were in the ascendency. Henson was brought on and his long boot changed the complexion of the game. His touch finders allowed Bath to gain a foothold in the game. Although they did not come back and win, they dominated the closing moments and collected a well-earned bonus point.
Game management continues to be a problem for Wales towards the end of test matches, just look at the South Africa tour and countless games against Australia. Could Henson’s siege gun boot and tactical nous help Wales see out these games?
Warren Gatland is watching; we know that as Henson was picked in the ‘Probables’ squad ahead of the tour to South Africa. Henson was not allowed to play in that game due to English Premiership regulations but it was a sign that he is still on the radar for Wales.
Henson, now 32, has not played internationally since 2011. However, it easy to forget that he would have gone to that World Cup had he not been injured in the warm-up games. He is now playing far better rugby than he was in 2011 and has become adept at making an impact from the bench.
James Hook has always been the ‘utility back’ for Wales and it is a tag that he has never felt comfortable with. As talented a player as Hook is, he does struggle to influence games from the bench in the way that he can.
Another player that Henson would have to jump ahead of in the pecking order is Liam Williams. Williams is the second inline to the fullback birth behind Leigh Halfpenny. However, the Scarlets fullback has serious discipline issues and Wales can ill afford yellow or even red cards at test level.
After looking at the other options it does not seem such a crazy idea to put Henson in the match day twenty-three.
Everybody knows the negative stories surrounding the man from Pencoed, but it appears that those days are behind him and his rugby is improving as a result.
It would be a decision welcomed by many fans, who want to see one of the most talented players Wales has produced play at the highest level. Henson knows that all he can do is to continue performing well for Bath; he has the talent, Welsh fan hope that this time he uses it.
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