Henson Will Play a Part in Six Nations, Confirms Gatland

Wales have never lost a Six Nations match in which Gavin Henson has started and the Ospreys centre, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday, is set to be recalled by the champions, who start the defence of their title against Scotland in Murrayfield on Sunday. Henson has not played for Wales since last March's grand slam match against France.

An ankle injury ruled him out of the summer tour to South Africa and an achilles problem forced him to miss last November's international program in Cardiff after he had been chosen for the opening encounter against South Africa. Since returning to action in December for the Ospreys, he has played most of his rugby at full-back, but Wales are likely to name him in his preferred position of inside-center, with the powerful Jamie Roberts outside him.

"There was nothing missing from Gavin's game last year when he was fit," said the Wales coach, Warren Gatland. "We were incredibly pleased with his performances and the leadership he showed. His experience started to come out in his game. You just look for him to continue that this time round. What's he needs is a run of being free from injury. He has become a dad again and I am sure that will add to his maturity as a person. I hope we will see that in his performances.

"Wales have won every game in the Six Nations when he has started. As long as that continues, I will keep backing him. He is growing as a player and is in good physical shape. He's a versatile lad. He can play at 12, 13 or 10. And he has played 15 for Ospreys.

Gatland added: "There is no one in world rugby with as big a boot as he has. He is 100kg-plus and very physical too. It would be good for the tournament to see Gavin playing well. He is an individual who creates a lot of interest in rugby and that's good for both the game and this tournament."

Henson said he was over his injury problems. "I'm fit and ready to make an impact," he declared. "It's been a frustrating time for me, but the challenge is to play well in the second half of the season and see what comes.

"I wish I had more rugby under me going into this tournament, but I have to go with what I have got. If I get the chance, I will be ready and completely confident in what I can do. I want that center position, but the competition is there for everyone to see with people like Jamie and Andrew Bishop, who have been playing brilliantly.

"I'm a bit worried at the moment whether I'm going to get in. I suppose it' s up to each and every one of us to impress in training as there are no more games. That's what I have been trying to do. When I am fit, I know what what I can do and what I can bring to this team."

Henson's last match was against Leicester in the Heineken Cup last month. The Tigers announced today that they would be switching their home quarter-final against Bath in April from Welford Road, which is undergoing redevelopment work, to the Walker's Stadium. It will be a repeat of the 2006 quarter-final, which Bath won.

The Bristol captain, Joe El Abd, today denied that he had agreed to join Toulon next season. "It is no secret that I am out of contract in the summer," he said. "My agent is talking to a number of clubs, including Bristol, but nothing has been signed. My focus is on the coming months and I remain 100 per cent committed to keeping Bristol in the Premiership."