Wales hand Henson a lifeline
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has named a 28-man squad for next month’s two-Test tour of Australia, handing Ospreys star Gavin Henson the chance to prove himself ahead of Rugby World Cup 2007.
Henson has not played since January because of a knee injury, but hopes to start his comeback in a Magners League game against Border Reivers on Friday week.
Gareth Thomas will captain the party in Sydney and Brisbane, despite his club Toulouse hoping to retain him for French Championship commitments.
Recalled players include Newport Gwent Dragons pair Colin Charvis and Michael Owen, Llanelli Scarlets wing Dafydd James and Cardiff Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor.
But a total of 18 front-line Wales players, including Lions Shane Williams, Tom Shanklin, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel and Martyn Williams, will remain at home and take part in an off-season training camp.
But the tour will give Jenkins a chance to run the rule over many of his fringe players before he has to name his 30-man World Cup squad on August 15.
“Ultimately we will be picking the group of 30 players that we believe will gives us the best chance of winning the World Cup,” said Jenkins.
“If you are playing well you are never too old and never too young. Selection will be about the here and now and so players in possession of the shirts on tour to Australia have every chance of holding on to them.
“There are some players who have not had the opportunity to show us their talents. We finished the Six Nations Championship strongly and were able to maintain consistency of selection during that campaign.
“But we also have an open mind and this tour will help us gain clarity of thought in certain areas of selection.
“Gareth will lead from the front in his own inimitable style and there are other seasoned campaigners with us who will be eager to show they can offer us selection options at this level.
“Together with those experienced players who have the chance to shine, we also have a need to develop more younger leaders in the squad and Australia could well be the place where they come to the fore.”
Henson admitted he was surprised by his selection but vowed to repay the faith that Wales have shown him.
“I was shocked but delighted to get the phone call but I’m determined to give 100 per cent to this tour,” he said.
“I’ve been out of rugby for four or five months but I’ve been working hard on my rehab. It’s been a difficult year for me on the rugby field but this news has given me a real boost.
“I’m just pleased to get back into the squad environment and to be given the chance to play international rugby again.”
Jenkins added: “Gavin is an important player for us and we want to give him the best opportunity to force his way into the World Cup reckoning
“It will be good to have him back in the squad in Australia and we can monitor his fitness and form as we build towards September.”
Wales squad for tour of Australia:
Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff Blues), Hal Luscombe (Harlequins), Dafydd James (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, capt), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Aled Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), James Hook (Ospreys), Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons), Mike Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Andy Williams (Bath).
Forwards: Ceri Jones (Harlequins), Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Gloucester), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), Scott Morgan (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Gavin Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Colin Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues).
