Why Gavin Henson is ‘loving’ playing fourth-tier rugby at the age of 43 and his ‘tough’ verdict on new Wales boss Steve Tandy
Gavin Henson has shared his thoughts on playing grassroots rugby and new Wales boss Steve Tandy, inset
Ex-Wales star Gavin Henson has revealed what he enjoys most in his second season playing fourth-tier rugby.
It was September 2024 when the 33-cap Welsh back and 2005 British and Irish Lions tourist came out of retirement to play for Pencoed, his boyhood club, five years after he had finished as a professional at the Dragons.
Three matches into his second season in League 2 West Central, Pencoed’s promotion hopes have been dented by a slow start as just a single win has them seventh in the 10-team division, nine points behind Neath Athletic, whom they lost 17-38 to last weekend.
Results aside, though, Henson’s enthusiasm for the game sounded infectious in an interview with the BBC’s ScrumV.
“Honestly, loving it. I’m 43 now, so a bit old, as my wife tells me. But I’ve missed it, I’ve missed the physicality of it, and being in a team environment again and trying to win,” he enthused.
“I have got to make those kicks…”
“I’m very competitive, I like trying to win, that’s the main thing. We have a good group of boys. We’re aiming for promotion, so hopefully it will be a good season and great for the club.
“I’m playing 10, I would like to play 12 but I am just not quite big enough yet. So I’ll still try to aim to get there but 10 at the moment.”
Early into his return to rugby, Henson slotted a huge penalty to get Pencoed a one-point win over Brynamman. Looking back on that moment, he described himself as being more nervous than he was compared to his famed 44-metre long-range effort for Wales to beat England 11-9 on route to the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam.
“To be fair, I was more nervous on that kick (with Pencoed), there’s an expectation obviously as well. I’m playing lower-level rugby, so I have got to make those kicks.
“It was a big one, but it was such a great feeling when it went over and the boys showed their appreciation. I feel part of the squad, even though I’m 43 and they’re all like 18 to 28, so it’s mad.”
Switching to the professional game, where Henson was a former Ospreys teammate of new Wales boss Steve Tandy, he felt the WRU appointed the right man for a job that starts with this November’s matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in Cardiff.
Ex-Scotland assistant Tandy was given the job in July, taking over from Matt Sherratt who took on a caretaker’s role following the February exit of Warren Gatland. Sherratt has since left his Cardiff head coach role to continue working with the Test team as attack coach.
“Steve Tandy has done unbelievable stuff since he finished his playing days,” said Henson. “I would not have had Steve down as a coach, but that’s the way it is.
“It sounds like he is the right man for the job, and he is Welsh, which is good. Steve and his backroom team are all nice guys, so the players will definitely play for him. I just hope he has the answers; it’s going to be tough.”
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