2 Jun 2011

Gavin Henson given World Cup lifeline

5:44 am on 2 June 2011

Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has thrown Gavin Henson a World Cup lifeline by naming the trouble centre in the Welsh team to face the Barbarians in a capped international match this weekend.

Henson's recall more than two years after he last featured for Wales has divided opinion in Welsh rugby, but Gatland says he's giving Henson a chance to do his talking on the pitch.

Already this year Henson has been released by his London club Saracens after just two months, and suspended by the French club Toulon following unconfirmed reports that he'd fought with a teammate.