Henson looks for Slam repeat

Feb 17 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

GAVIN HENSON’S senses are working overtime.

Fatherhood, THAT train journey and impressing a ruthless new Wales coaching regime would be enough for most rugby players.

But Welsh rugby’s golden boy has something else on his mind. He believes Wales are on the verge of repeating the Grand Slam heroics of 2005.

“I sensed that something special was going to happen in the first week we met up,” said Henson.

“I felt there was a really positive feel in the camp and it reminded me of 2005.”

Much has changed since those glory days for Henson.

He has missed out on more Wales squads than he has been selected for; but now he is back where he belongs.

He was the face of Wales’ first Grand Slam for 28 years back in 2005.

Injury, suspension, loss of form and missing the cut for a second successive World Cup squad left him in rugby’s version of no-man’s land.

Now the rehabilitation has begun.

While the famous Henson swagger may not be back and the hair-style has changed, there are the beginnings of a strut in his step.

Henson famously declared before the victory over England at the Millennium Stadium in 2005 that Wales could win a Grand Slam.

At the time his claim appeared like an idle boast and a classic case of the arrogance of youth.

But he was right – and Wales DID go on to win the whole damn thing.

So, why the feeling that the class of 2008 could emulate the class of 2005?

“There is an intensity in training and the ideas of the coaches are very similar,” said Henson.

“I believe we can do something special. I just have a feeling we are going to have some special moments again.

“Maybe the England game was a huge one to win again, just like that game in 2005 was.

“That win kick-started us and, hopefully, the recent win will do the same. Everything is working for us.

“We have Italy next, then Ireland at Croke Park, not Lansdowne Road; so that should be like any other stadium.

“There won’t be a fear factor there and then it should all be on France at home.” The last time Wales won a Grand Slam in 2005, Henson’s life changed out of all recognition.

He went from being a rugby player to a household name and fell in love with the singer, Charlotte Church.

“It was a massive year for me and I have no regrets about 2005,” said Henson. “It changed my life, on and off the field. I don’t think I have changed that much; I still don’t learn my lessons.

“I am probably back to the person I was then. I probably became a bit tense over the last few years.

“I was depressed about my rugby but I just enjoy it now. Becoming a family man was a massive change in my life. I understand what life is all about now.”

Henson may be a bit battered and bruised from constantly being in the spotlight and all the trappings it brings but you sense he is enjoying the simple life and has fallen back in love with rugby.

A certain Warren Gatland, the new Wales coach, can take some credit for that.

The tough-talking New Zealander has made a special point of speaking about Henson having the potential of being the best centre in the world and making the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.

“It’s good to have the faith of your coach,” said Henson. “But the messages he has been sending out with selection makes you wonder how long that faith will last.

“You are one average performance from being out of the set-up. He is keeping us on the edge. It’s all pretty ruthless.”

Henson, though, admits he needs a coach who knows what he wants and lays it on the line to the players.

“I like a coach who is authoritative,” said Henson.

“Somebody who tells you how we are going to play and what he wants.

“I respond better to that and a lot of players do. You want to know exactly where you stand.”

Henson admits his career has had some great highs and great lows, but missing out on the 2007 World Cup in France was a real low.

Gareth Jenkins, the then Wales coach, decided he wasn’t fit enough for the tournament.

“Missing out on the World Cup was disappointing,” said Henson. “It wasn’t as big a blow as the first one I missed in 2003 because my form wasn’t great.

“I couldn’t argue with the decision but I really want to go to a World Cup and now I have to hang around for the next one.

“It’s a hell of a stage. I don’t know what a World Cup is like but I have enjoyed watching it.

“They made a cut-off point and said I wasn’t up with the rest of the squad and they relied heavily on that.

“I said to them, once they had made a decision, that if anyone gets injured give me a call. I knew I would be up to speed by the time it started but the call didn’t come.

“They were difficult times; I don’t think I was liked. But Warren is a different guy. I like the way he coaches and the way he is.”

Henson may be relishing the new coaching set-up but he isn’t taking his place in the squad for granted. He knows he cannot afford to with Gatland wielding the axe to anyone not meeting the standards he expects.

“Everyone is on the edge. Everybody is afraid to make a mistake at training so the concentration levels are at the maximum,” said Henson.

“The intensity is huge and when we go from training to a game there isn’t that much difference.

“There is a massive intensity now. Under other coaches you would train for an hour, have a chat and the intensity just wasn’t there. I’m not saying that is wrong but it’s really a different place to be right now.”

But has he had the famous Shaun Edwards hair-dryer treatment?

“I don’t like criticism,” said Henson. “They have been critical of my game in team meetings but they haven’t shouted at me.

“I don’t know how I would react if that happened. I would rather people be positive around me.”

Since Henson’s halcyon days of 2005, a new crop of stars have emerged – like his team-mate James Hook.

Henson clearly welcomes the burden of popularity being shared around the squad and demonstrates how much he has changed since 2005.

Where once he relished the spotlight and adoration after that lpenalty against England, he then goes and reveals this:

“I don’t particularly enjoy scoring tries as much as the other boys do,” said Henson. “I would rather put somebody in for a try, I get more satisfaction from that.

“I like to see the boys being happy when they score. Putting people into space is what I enjoy and if I can do that, hopefully, the boys will want me in the team.”