Rugby Union: Henson at Centre of Welsh Plans

Gavin Henson talks about Wales' approaching internationals with the relaxed air of a player who has a wardrobe full of caps and an unblemished reputation but the 22-year-old is a Test tyro whose career appeared over the moment it began.

When Henson started his first international for Wales, against Romania in 2001, he was hailed as the latest product of the mythical Welsh outside-half factory even if, at 6ft and more than 14st, he had a different build from models of the past, relying more on power than a swift, imperceptible movement through the gears.

Fame came early but, like many other Welsh players in the past 20 years, Henson found himself confronting triumph and disaster almost at the same time. Given his chance by Graham Henry, he was largely ignored when the New Zealander was replaced as Wales coach by his compatriot Steve Hansen at the beginning of 2002 and found himself on the slippery slope towards obscurity.

Henson, left out of Wales' World Cup squad, was given a second chance last summer by Hansen's successor Mike Ruddock, playing in the centre against Argentina and at full-back against South Africa, Saturday's opponents at the Millennium Stadium. Henson is likely to take over from Iestyn Harris at inside-centre for his eighth cap.

"People say that I was capped too early but I am not sure about that," said Henson, whose assured performances at outside-half have helped the Neath-Swansea Ospreys to the top of the Celtic League. "I was good enough at the time to get into the side and the pity is that I did not hold on to the jersey because I would have won 30 caps by now.

"I was in a poor Swansea side at the time. Things did not go well and I got the blame but it was hard to play behind a beaten pack. The club ran out of money: some of us were put on half wages while others, including the coach John Connolly, who had a store of great ideas, were sacked.

"At the time I wondered if I had a future in Wales. I was left out of the national squad and did not really know why but I kept believing in myself and the change from club to regional rugby gave me the new start I needed."

Though Henson has played most of his rugby at outside-half, he believes the demands of the modern game, with the emphasis on game plans and defence, make inside-centre a more suitable position for free spirits who like to trust their instincts. Harris started at fly-half after moving to Wales from rugby league but it was in the midfield where his creative ability was realised to the full.

"The outside-half position is the one most talked about in Wales but I think inside-centre could be better for me," he said. "At fly-half you have to listen to what the coaches tell you and that is why sometimes I do not like playing there. I like to do my own thing but in the big matches you have to do what you are told. I hope to be able to use my initiative more in the centre."

Though the Ospreys have swept all before them in the Celtic League, they have lost their opening two matches in the Heineken Cup. They went down by two points to Munster at The Gnoll on Sunday when Henson turned down the chance to drop a potentially winning goal in the dying minutes, even though he had several opportunities. It was an example of how young players are often fatally caught between acting on instinct and obeying instructions.

"Regional rugby has made a big difference because the old club game was amateur in comparison," said Henson. "A lot more work is now put in off the field and, while it means that I have no social life, which I find strange, it is how it should be. You do not have a long career as a player and rugby has to be full-on.

"I did a lot of socialising when I was 18 or 19 and went out more than I should have done. A lot of the older players did at Swansea but I came to realise that to succeed as a professional you have to make sacrifices. It was difficult at first because my friends were at university and spending nights enjoying themselves but there is no point in trying to make a career in rugby if you do not make it your total focus and there will be plenty of time to go out when I have retired."

Ruddock announces his team to face South Africa this evening. "Gavin is likely to play at inside-centre," he said. "I have been pleased with his form for the Ospreys, though he has found out in Europe in the last couple of weeks that playing at outside-half at the highest level is another step up. He was a raw youngster when he was first capped but he has matured, developed physically and has the ability to bring out the best of our backs in attack."

Wales lost 53-18 to South Africa last June, when Henson was less than assured at full-back, but his self-confidence did not take a bashing. "We were battered and bruised then after a long season," he said. "Can Wales beat them on Saturday? If I am playing, we will win."

Welsh fly-halves who converted

Iestyn Harris

Harris made an instant impact for Cardiff at No10 after his move from rugby league and was capped in the position after three club appearances but the tactical adjustment proved too much and it was only when he moved to the centre that he blossomed as a Test player with his ability to put runners into space.

Bleddyn Bowen

Played most of his early club rugby at outside-half but made only three appearances there for Wales. Proved a natural second five-eighth to Jonathan Davies and was captain when Wales last won the triple crown, back in 1988.

Mark Ring

Joined Cardiff as an outside-half but was unable to dislodge Gareth Davies and moved to outside- centre before injury robbed him of his pace and he moved to No12. Partnered another converted fly-half, David Richards, in his first appearance for Wales and did not play in his favoured position until his last four Tests.