I’m staying at Dragons next season – Henson
GAVIN Henson has scotched speculation about a possible move away from the Dragons by saying how much he is looking forward to playing for the region next season.
There have been rumours linking the veteran Welsh international with a possible move to Neath, who are busy strengthening their squad for next term’s Premiership campaign.
But he insists he’s eager to get back playing for the Men of Gwent and coach Bernard Jackman says he is excited about the role the 36-yearold fly-half will play next season.
The 33-cap Henson hasn’t played since mid-January due to a hamstring tendon problem which was to rule him out for the second half of the campaign.
“It was disappointing to pick up the injury when I did as I felt ready to make a big contribution to the Dragons in the second half of the season,” he said.
“There’s never a good time for injury, so I’m just getting my head down and going through the rehab.
“There’s going to be a number of new faces when pre-season starts, so next season promises to be exciting for us and I’m looking forward to being back out at Rodney Parade for the Dragons.”
Henson joined from Bristol last summer and started the season in fine form, going on to make 15 appearances before being sidelined.
Coach Jackman said: “Gavin was one of our most influential players up until his injury.
“He has come back to Wales and continued to train with the same enthusiasm that has made him one of the best conditioned rugby players in the game.
“We have missed him on the field, but his rehab is going well and he and I are both excited about the role he will play on and off the field for us next season.”
The Dragons take on Zebre out in Parma this Saturday, before completing their Guinness PRO14 camapign against the Scarlets at the Principality Stadium at Judgement Day on April 28.
Meanwhile, Gethin Jenkins, who shared Grand Slam glory with Henson in 2005, has agreed a contract extension with Cardiff Blues.
Wales’ record cap holder, now aged 37, will head into his 14th campaign at the Arms Park having put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at the region for the 2018-19 season. ■
HIS glory days at Test level may have been well behind him, but James Hook had still been expected to have a seriously high profile in his comeback season in Welsh rugby.
But it hasn’t turned out that way. This most self-effacing of players hasn’t started a Guinness PRO14 game in 2018 and has had to contend with fringe-player status at the Ospreys.
So what has been going on and what are his chances of an upturn in fortunes next season?
THE RETURN HOME
IT is fair to say the 81-cap player’s return to Welsh rugby came with no small fanfare.
Many Ospreys supporters were hugely excited about the homecoming of a player who established himself as a firm favourite at the Liberty during his first spell with the club, while Hook’s former team-mate Shane Williams described the former Wales international’s decision to sign a three-year contract in Swansea as “great news for the region”.
Hook had been away since 2011, spending three years at Perpignan and another three seasons at Gloucester. Luke Charteris said fans viewed him as a “bit of a god” at Stade Aime Giral.
Hopes were high that this rugby deity could slot back in at the Ospreys and make a significant onpitch mark, even if it might have to be a centre or full-back, with Dan Biggar and Sam Davies covering No. 10.
Hook himself said at the time: “I don’t think I’m finished yet. I’m only 31.”
SO WHY HAS HE BARELY HIT WELSH RUGBY’S RADAR THIS SEASON?
WELL, he has been playing, but his brief has been very much a fringe one, with nine of his 19 appearances coming off the bench.
At times, it has seemed unfathomable that a player of his talent could play such a marginal role.
When the Ospreys played the Cheetahs in February, for instance, Hook came off the bench in the 80th minute, just in time to see Sam Davies slot the match-winning conversion.
He has started just two games in 2018, both in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, with his other two appearances coming as a replacement.
WHAT IS THE EXPLANATION FROM THE OSPREYS?
OSPREYS backs coach Gruff Rees insists Hook hasn’t been forgotten about.
“James had a lot of minutes in early season, after Owen Watkin suffered a nasty bump against Leicester in a friendly,” he said.
“Since then Owen has returned and done well, while Ashley Beck has also found some form of late and Kieron Fonotia has given us a bit of presence on the gain-line.
“In many ways, James has been unlucky.
“The team were playing scratchily during the run of games he started and it would have been difficult for anyone in his position.
“We were a bit lateral in some respects and lacked punch on the advantage line. With James in midfield you need a complementary player alongside him and it was a question of trying to find that individual to forge a partnership.
“There was the option of using him at full-back, but Dan Evans has been quite mesmeric at times this season. Whenever there’s competition, Dan always responds positively.
“So, it hasn’t been easy for James. “Others have gelled in the centre, limiting his opportunities.
“But his talent isn’t in doubt. He is still a good player.”
STILL HIGHLY THOUGHT OF
AWAY from the spotlight, Hook has been filling an important role at the Ospreys.
“What the people outside the environment don’t see is what he does every day, how he helps the young players, the kickers and how he adds maturity and offers advice,” said defence coach Brad Davis.
“He has acquired huge experience over the years and it has shown this season.
“I’m sure he is frustrated that he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked.
“But the value that we place on James in our environment is enormous. He’s been absolutely brilliant this season.”
Gruff Rees agrees with that assessment of Hook.
“Behind the scenes he’s been terrific,” said Rees.
“We needed someone experienced to front up in those AngloWelsh weeks and James stepped up to the mark.
“He’s a great role model for the young players and all of them would have gained from playing and training alongside a player of his stature.
“He may not have started as often as he would have liked, but he is a team player above all else, totally selfless and he has trained as hard as anyone and never once moaned however much he wanted to play.”
That modest demeanour has always been with Hook.
When he broke through at the Ospreys he was the subject of huge plaudits, but it didn’t change him one bit.
There are few more grounded individuals in the game than the Port Talbot-born player.
CAN HE EXPECT TO PLAY A MORE PROMINENT ROLE NEXT SEASON?
HOOK will be 33 in the summer, but he has a three-year contract at the Ospreys and his attitude augurs well for 2018-19.
Rees is leaving the region, but he has no doubt Hook still has a role to play in Swansea.
“Ashley Beck and Kieron Fonotia are leaving the Ospreys in the summer, and, while Scott Williams is coming in, you can never have too much experience, so I’d expect James to really step forward, especially during international blocks.
“Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb are also departing.
“I just think it will be handy for them to have someone like James in the squad.
“Cory Allen is another useful option in the three-quarter line.
“But James is a senior player by any standard and his attitude suggests to me he still has a huge amount to offer the Ospreys.
“He is capable of filling an important role for them next season.”
A FUTURE IN COACHING?
HOOK’S willingness to assist young players suggests he could well develop into a high-quality skills coach, suggests Rees.
“He has been brilliant with the youngsters over the past few months,” said Rees.
“I see him as a technical coach further down the line.
“His one-on-one skills work with junior players is outstanding and he has helped no end of them with their kicking.
“Maybe in Wales there isn’t enough of that one-on-one coaching.
“But James is up to speed on the finer points of the game and he is willing to share his knowledge. He is someone with a huge generosity of spirit.”
Few will argue with that take on the former Neath player.
Class is permanent, on and off the field.