English kids can end Gavin Henson’s Wales dream

Gavin Henson hopes a fresh contract and new found stability at Bath can pave the way for a Wales recall before the 2015 World Cup.
But centre star Henson, who won the last of his 33 caps against England in August 2011, knows a group of “incredibly talented” Englishmen may prevent him stating his case.
Speaking exclusively to The Rugby Paper on signing his year-long contract extension at the Rec, Henson, 32, said: “I haven't given up on Wales but it'll be hard to get back. I need to establish a starting spot here to have any chance.
“It's a long way back but while I'm still playing I'll always want to play for Wales and I'll just keep trying. It's such an incredibly talented squad here that it's hard to get into the starting team, but that's what I'm striving for.
“I'm a little bit worried, actually, because England are on a real upward curve and our backline here is littered with English talent. Most of the boys are going to be in that England starting team for the World Cup in 2015.
“It's nice to be playing with them, but at the same time it's annoying because Wales are in the same group. Guys like Kyle Eastmond, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson are great pros at such a young age.
“Their skill levels are unbelievable and the future's looking really bright for England, but Wales aren't bad either. My job is to work my way into the team here and I'm working really hard every week to get back to where I was before.”
Henson's move to Bath last summer raised eyebrows and he made a poor start, becoming embroiled in a drunken set-to with No.8 Carl Fearns.
Since then, however, he has knuckled down to become a hugely popular figure among Bath fans, helping the club to lift its first A-League title.
Fully fit and as lean and hungry as he has ever been, Henson now has his sights on finishing his playing days by the banks of the Avon.
“I love this club and I'd like to see out my career here,” he said. “As long as I can keep on top of my game and stay injury-free, hopefully I can do that.
“When I had the offer from Bath last year I was over the moon. It's such a big club with great history, so I jumped at the chance to get here, although I knew I was basically signing as cover to start with.
“But I was happy with that. I had plenty of game time in the A-League early on and since Christmas I've been in and around the squad. I started against Brive last week and that went well, so hopefully I can stay in the team.
“The fans have been incredible to me and I can't thank them enough. They've been on my side, which is nice, so I just want to keep repaying them.”
People scoffed when Henson jumped aboard. He had, after all, endured unsuccessful spells at Saracens, Toulon and Cardiff before spending much of last season injured as London Welsh fell from the Premiership.
But Bath first-team coach Toby Booth expects Henson to play a major role in developing that tranche of English talent around him.
“People can make their assumptions of Gavin but we've tried to see past that and look at Gavin Henson as a rugby player,” Booth said.
“For the first time in a long time, Gavin's actually fit and he offers a high degree of professionalism and selflessness towards the team.
“He's a really likeable guy around the place, doesn't take himself too seriously and he acts as a little bit of a mentor in lots of different ways. He's adding value around the boys and contributes to that changing room vibe.”
Bath ended a run of three consecutive home defeats by beating Brive, and Henson added: “The fans here expect a lot and that's how it should be. It hadn't been good enough losing those games.
“But there's a lot to play for this season and hopefully we can kick on from here. I'm loving my rugby and want to be a part of it.”
NEALE HARVEY