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Henson Promise Boosts Welsh

Sun 25 Nov, 02:09 PM


Wales look set to benefit from a refreshed and revitalised Gavin Henson in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship - with a little help from his baby daughter Ruby.

And Ospreys star Henson has vowed Wales will be "a lot more organised" when they launch their Six Nations campaign against World Cup finalists England at Twickenham on February 2.

Henson made an impressive Test rugby return on Saturday, despite Wales' 34-12 Millennium Stadium defeat to world champions South Africa - their record home loss for the fixture.

It was Henson's first Wales start in more than a year, and he did enough at inside centre to suggest new coach Warren Gatland need look no further for a long-term number 12.

Gatland arrives from New Zealand to start work later this week, ready for a baptism of fire given Wales have not beaten England at Twickenham since 1988.

But Henson is calm about the challenge ahead and admitted two-month-old Ruby was playing her part.

"It is great being a father," said Henson, partner of singer Charlotte Church. "It is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

"I put a lot on myself in terms of training and thinking about the game a lot, and then suddenly you realise something else comes first, which is the baby.

"I think that might help me a lot in terms of relaxing away from the game and chilling out a bit more."

Henson's midfield combination with Ospreys colleague James Hook augured well for future tests, yet Wales finished a distant second best in many key areas.

They could not match the Springboks' revered power game, while an often feeble defensive display provided proof - if any was required - of how Gatland must move heaven and earth to get Wasps' Shaun Edwards on board as part of his coaching staff.

South Africa scored five tries - Jaque Fourie (two), JP Pietersen, Juan Smith and impressive number eight debutant Ryan Kankowski touched down - and it would undoubtedly have been more had wing magician Bryan Habana seen possession on a regular basis.

Henson, though, believes Gatland can take heart from a performance still arguably better than anything Wales produced during a dismal World Cup campaign in France.

He added: "I enjoyed the game, it was nice to get the ball in my hands. We had our fair share of the game.

"When the Six Nations comes around we will be a lot more organised. We had so much possession and only scored two tries.

"I hope this group of players stay together. It is a young team, and I thought we did some good stuff out there."

Henson continued: "It would be nice to have a new start in this environment.

"I think Warren Gatland should be pretty confident with the players he's got in Wales. There is a lot of confidence, the boys are comfortable with ball in hand and they want to play.

"England did really well in the World Cup and we haven't done very well at Twickenham for years, so we've got to try to turn that around.

"If we have the belief that we had out there against South Africa then we can have a good game against England."

Apart from defence, Gatland's issues are up front, where Wales currently lack physical clout to compete against the major nations.

And he also needs to closely scrutinise both flanker positions.

Veteran Colin Charvis scored his 22nd Test try - a world record for a forward - while full-back newcomer Morgan Stoddart claimed Wales' other touchdown, but whether Charvis and openside Robin Sowden-Taylor should be the Six Nations partnership is debatable.

Speculation has already surfaced that Gatland will attempt to talk Cardiff Blues star Martyn Williams out of Test retirement for one more Six Nations campaign.

On claiming the record previously held by Italian lock Carlo Checchinato, Charvis said: "It is a proud moment, an achievement, but you would sacrifice that for a few more wins.

"We managed to hold on to the ball for long periods of time - we had a high level of possession - but the reason why South Africa are world champions is because they are so hard to break down.

"Warren Gatland is in a position where he has seen a team that can improve, and I am sure he will look at a lot of players and formulate his squad and ideas.

"I love playing rugby. Every opportunity I get to play for Wales I relish. I would put on that jersey 1,000 more times, but we all know that is not going to happen.

"I am very happy with my achievements. I've played for Wales for 11 years, which is a very proud thing for myself, my family and all those people who have supported me."

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