Rugby Union: Hook Catching Henson

Gavin Henson was the most talked about player in Wales last season, even though he missed more than half of it through injury and suspension, but despite now being back in the national side he has been relegated in the battle for the headlines by his Ospreys team-mate, James Hook.

The pair will line up together tomorrow night when Wales face Canada at the Millennium Stadium. Hook will be at fly-half, standing in for the injured captain Stephen Jones, while Henson will be in the position he occupied for Wales during their grand slam campaign last year, inside-centre.

If Jones recovers from his knee injury, he will regain his place to play New Zealand on Saturday week, leaving Henson and Hook to grapple for the inside-centre jersey, the position Hook occupied last weekend against the Pacific Islanders, having come on as a replacement for Jones the previous week against Australia. In that game he impressed with the calm authority he imposed as Wales came from 11 points down to gain a draw.

"James has taken a step forward with the physicality he brings to our game," said the Wales head coach, Gareth Jenkins. "He is as effective in the contact and tackle areas as any 12 has been for a long time and Gavin will recognise that, appreciating that for all his talent he has to add something to his game because of the competition in his position: that is what moves players on."

Henson seemed to have the world at his golden boots at the end of the 2005 Six Nations, but adversity quickly followed triumph: an anti-climactic Lions tour preceded a groin operation which kept him out for three months, and no sooner had he returned to action than he received a two-month ban for foul play. In between, he incurred the wrath of the Wales squad for revelations and remarks he made in his autobiography and when he eventually returned to the national side, as a first-half replacement in Dublin for the injured Jones, he endured a torrid afternoon.

"Last season was really difficult for me," said the 24-year-old Henson. "I had had low periods before in my career - which had usually followed highs - and you just have to deal with them and come back stronger. I have a high expectation of myself and want to achieve things, with next year's World Cup a target. Sitting it out for long periods a year ago got me down and when I came back I was not myself. I thought I could resume where I had left off, but I should have started all over again. I did not enjoy the experience.

"Now I am back in the position which I believe is my best for Wales. I enjoyed the game against Australia, they were strong opponents and I did not feel out of place. I would relish the chance to face the All Blacks but if James has a stormer against Canada I do not think there is any question about who would play in that game."

Henson is buoyed by an inner confidence in his ability, backing himself in any circumstances. It can lend an understated feel to his game and, while Hook looks similarly unperturbed, one difference between the two lies in their volubility on the pitch: Hook is the more vocal, making him more effective at outside-half.

"I think James and I make an effective combination at 10 and 12 and we are both comfortable in either position," said Henson. "He is a natural rugby player who trusts his instincts and that helps. He plays as if he has been around for years. When he came on against Australia [after 25 minutes], I tried to help him because I had been in exactly the same position in Ireland last February. He looked comfortable immediately."

Wales have said they will consider fielding Henson at full-back to accommodate Hook. "I do not mind playing there but I do not think it is where you get the best out of me," said Henson. "Competition for places throughout the Wales side is intense and there is pressure on every one of us. It's what drives you on."