Six Nations Betting / Paul Moon / 22 November 2007 / Leave a comment

Pablo Luna says the former Golden Boy of Welsh Rugby could finally set the Six Nations alight...

Gavin Lloyd Henson (1 February, 1982) is the enigma of Welsh Rugby.

Is he a sporting icon or is he now just Mr Charlotte Church? This question needs a response! Regarded as the Welsh version of the Beckhams, they are now ranked as the 49th richest young people in Britain with an estimated joint wealth in excess of £10 million. He courts more column inches within the celebrity gossip pages than on the back sport pages. He has done nothing to discourage his playboy image and has enjoyed his depiction in the sensational tabloid newspapers. His book 'My Grand Slam Year' published in October 2005, where he remarked about other players on the Lions tour, was a bad mistake. He was forced to apologise to his team-mates and this showed a callous selfish streak!

His injuries and loss of form are well documented but you have to conclude that his turbulent celebrity lifestyle has contributed to his downfall. Yet to appear in a World Cup he remains a talent unfulfilled and he divides opinion like no other Welsh player. Can he bounce back? I think so. Will he bounce back? I am not sure. Does he still have a role to play in Welsh rugby? Yes.

Born in Brigend, of a rugby playing family he attracted much media attention in the 2004-2005 rugby season, in which he was part of a Wales team that achieved a long-sought Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship. He has also played for the British and Irish Lions, touring in 2005 to New Zealand.

On Saturday, exactly 12 months on from his last start in a Wales jersey and with barely a dozen meaningful games behind him during that time, the ebullient Henson will relaunch his international career against the world champions, South Africa. It is ironic that Nigel Davies (Welsh caretaker coach) was part of the management team that decided to dump Henson for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This same man is bringing him back because it's believed that he has trained harder and looks fitter than at any other time. And of course, there is a lack of strength at inside-centre in the Welsh Team.

The match against South Africa on Saturday 24 November 2007 at the Millennium Stadium offers a great chance for Henson to transform Welsh rugby overnight. The often-maligned enfant terrible has declared he is "happy with his form, comfortable with his game and is confident". He will need to shed his detached air, get rid of any rustiness and if he still has the burning desire to succeed he just might turn things around for Wales. I note that Wales are [2.42] with Betfair to win this match. South Africa are [1.43] with Betfair.

Once this game is over then Henson must go back to the Liberty Stadium, remain fit and help the Ospreys improve their chances of lifting the 2007/2008 Heineken Cup where they are currently trading at [27.0] with Betfair. He can then look forward to meeting new coach Warren Gatland, consolidate his inside-centre berth and help take the sleeping giant that is Wales forward into the RBS Six Nations 2008, starting with a match against England on 2nd February 2008. Wales are currently [7.8] for Outright Winners, [13.5] for Grand Slam Winners and [6.8] for Triple Crown Winners with Betfair. I am tempted to get involved at these prices with the Welsh having a friendly fixture list but will watch the South African game first with more than just a curious interest.

Henson became a father for the first time in September and is expected to marry fiancée Charlotte Church next year. The Welsh rugby fans will wish happiness but hope the new-found domestic responsibility will help him add stability to his life off the pitch as he builds his form on it. You cannot help compare Henson with all his off the field distractions and not a World Cup Winner with Wilkinson who eats, sleeps, drinks nothing but rugby and is a World Cup Winner!

If I was Gavin Henson's best friend I would advise him not to worry about shaving his legs or any other pointless 'off the field' activity and concentrate on playing rugby. He is only 25 and it would be a crying shame if this fine rugby player does not realise his potential. He is at the crossroads, which way will he go?

Pablo

Tags: gavin henson, wales