Henson eyes World Cup as fly-half

Editor

Ex-Wales centre Gavin Henson has revealed his ambition to play at fly-half for the rest of his career and hopefully earn a Test recall.

Ex-Wales centre Gavin Henson has revealed his ambition to play at fly-half for the rest of his career with the hope of winning a spot in the Wales squad for the 2015 World Cup.

Henson started at 10 for Bath in their 26-26 pre-season draw against the Scarlets at the Rec on Saturday and the 32-year-old is hoping to see more time in the pivot role.

The 33-cap Test centre sits behind young England playmaker George Ford in the Bath pecking order but still believes if he is given the chance, he can press for a national call up.

“Ten is where I want to play and I have been fighting to try and get that position for a while,” Henson told Wales Online.

“It has been a long time since I have had a run of games at 10 and you are going back to when I was at the Ospreys.

“I did a good job playing at 12 and never got back to 10.

“I have always tried to get back there but it's been hard and I took time out of the game then which did not help.”

Henson has never played in a World Cup and has been out of the Wales setup since 2011 but has declared his desire to feature in next year's global showpiece in England.

His ambition does not seem that far fetched after being named for the Wales Probables v Possibles trial game last June, only to miss the match after Bath refused to release him.

“As long as I am playing the game I want to be back involved playing for Wales,” said Henson.

“That is one of the main reasons I am still playing and I am going to push as hard as I can for that World Cup.

“I have always believed I can offer something different but it's up to me to play regular rugby and start for Bath. Until then I know it won't happen.”

The double Grand Slam winner admitted that considered leaving Bath to help aid his Wales aspirations.

“I really wanted to play but I made the mistake before when I was with Toulon and it was the World Cup year in 2011,” he said.

“Toulon did not want me to play for Wales when they signed me and I said no to that. I went out on a limb and went to be involved with Wales without a club. I ended get up injured and was still left without a club. That was a tough time for me and I was in a dark place for a while.

“I was thinking about doing the same thing for this trial but knew I could not and had to let it go which was annoying. That trial meant everything to me because my goal is always to play for Wales. That was a good chance for me because some of the boys were injured and I had the opportunity to work with the coaches for a week and that could have worked for me.

“I did not get that chance but it's up to me to try and play well for Bath and get that starting spot and push for the autumn internationals or Six Nations.”