Neath are playing down link with Gav
NEATH insist they haven’t spoken to Dragons fly-half Gavin Henson, despite rumours that the club are poised to make a play for the former Wales and Lions star.
There had been speculation that the Welsh All Blacks might be ready to try to add Henson to a roster that will include Regan King for next season.
But Henson reportedly signed a two-year contract when he joined the Dragons last summer and a reliable source at Neath has indicated there have been no discussions with the 36-year-old.
That doesn’t kill the story stone dead.
For if Henson has a break clause in his deal in Newport and is interested in winding down at professional level and maybe enjoying a swansong lower down alongside the rare playmaking talent that is King, Neath would likely be interested in accommodating him.
They are determined to revive themselves after a difficult season, a process that is all the more urgent with the end of Welsh Premiership ring fencing in 2019.
Young Dragons forwards Scott Andrews and Luke Garrett have already signed up to renew acquaintances with Lyn Jones at Neath for next term, while the acquisition of King could transform the club’s back line.
A hamstring injury picked up in training has meant Henson has played just twice for the Dragons since being dropped after an offcolour display against Cardiff Blues over Christmas. He had previously made a superb start to his spell with the East Wales region.
Henson had played some of his best rugby under Lyn Jones at the Ospreys and he also gets on well with Neath boss Mike Cuddy.
He hasn’t spoken definitively on how much longer he wants to stay in the professional ranks for, but if he is contemplating dropping down a level, Neath could want to speak with him.