Edwards: ‘Henson won’t have easy ride back with Wales’

Wales coach Shaun Edwards has reassured his players Gavin Henson will not walk back into the national side on reputation alone.

Henson has spent 18 months on unpaid leave from club side Ospreys but found himself thrust back into the media spotlight this week after being revealed as the poster boy for the new Wales kit, a move which has seen his image used on a 100ft banner at the Millennium Stadium.

That has reportedly been a cause of  controversy among the Wales squad but Edwards told talkSPORT: “Warren Gatland will only pick players who he thinks are fit and worthy of the Welsh shirt.

"I can assure any players who may suspect that Gavin would have an easy ride back into the Welsh shirt that he’ll earn it if he does get back in.”

When asked if Henson would come back into rugby union or play for Wales again Edwards said: “I’ve no idea. Of course I would [like to see it] he’s a world-class player in my opinion.”

On Henson’s desire to play in the rugby World Cup Edwards said: “I haven’t spoken to Gavin for quite a long time, I haven’t seen him for quite a long time. The whole of Wales will be hoping to get him back on that rugby pitch fit and raring to go maybe for the Six Nations and certainly for the World Cup because he’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached.

"People have this image of him being glamorous and all this kind of stuff. He’s tough as old boots when he gets on the rugby pitch.”

“I think every person in Wales dreams about putting that Welsh jersey on because they’re the most passionate people about the game of rugby and very passionate about the Welsh team. He’s probably like every young boy in Wales growing up wanting to wear that red shirt.

“I know Gavin, I’ve coached him and he’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached when he’s fit and buzzing. He’s probably one of the best defensive players I’ve ever seen and I just hope that he can get himself fit and back playing regularly and back competing for that jersey.”