Say on... Dragons, and hopes forWales
Would you like to become a coach when you finish playing? Henson: It might be a route I will go down. I naturally do it already with other players on a one-to-one basis or working in units.
But I do worry just how much time it would take up because I would want to be good at it.
It would be a 24-hour-a-day job and that’s why I’m trying to stay as long as I can as a player! I’m very happy here and have got another season. If I perform, perhaps I’ll be playing longer. What’s your take on Dragons signing Ross Moriarty and your old Ospreys team-mate Richard Hibbard? Henson: Fair play, Bernard has managed to get those guys for next season. They’re great signings who will keep us more on our toes. ‘Hibbs’ will make me feel a bit younger.
He’s a great guy for us to sign. He will be brilliant around the squad and in what he does in matches. Hibbard is like you, he’s the master of the hairstyle? Henson: That’s his trademark – he looks great. What was it like being the away team at Rodney Parade against the Dragons? Henson: I enjoyed coming here with the Ospreys. We had a star-studded team. Dragons’ supporters used to give it to Mike Phillips, but I got my fair share of stick from them.
But it’s a great place to play a derby with an electric atmosphere. I think all players like that. What are your memories of your stint at the Blues and being sacked for being drunk on a flight back from a match in Scotland? Henson: I made a bad decision to join the Blues and paid for it massively.
It wasn’t a great move in my career but I think I learned from it. I just put it down to experience.
Cardiff Blues made false promises and I was naive. I was signed as a 10-12 but it didn’t really happen – I played full-back.
I was still recovering from my hand injury with Wales and mentally I wasn’t right.
It was a terrible time for me, How will you spend Christmas Day? Henson: With my kids and my girlfriend. I will get Ruby, 10, and Dexter, eight, at about 1.30pm and it will be straight to my parents for dinner.
My mother puts up with my lot. I will have turkey and vegetables. I don’t have gravy, it’s full of yeast. I’m strict about what I eat.
Then we will get them outside for a bit of a run-around. What was your assessment of Wales in the autumn Tests? Henson: It was nice to see them playing a wider game and starting to put combinations together. It’s definitely the way forward.
I enjoyed watching Wales and thought Owen Williams did well at 12. He will get better the more he plays in that position.
It was like when I played centre for Wales with James Hook or Stephen Jones at outside-half, we were able to play wider.
Wales were a bit lateral at times. There’s a lot for them to do but I’m sure Rob Howley is aware of that.
Owen is good, he’s the full box of tricks. You don’t know, as a defender what he’s going to do next. What’s your view of the coaching of Warren Gatland and Rob Howley and the calls for a ‘consultant’ to assist them? Henson: I don’t think they need that. I loved working with Rob. When I started with him I wasn’t sure about a scrum-half coaching the backs, but he was really good.
I was impressed and enjoyed our time working together – Wales played some good rugby as well! How will Wales go in this season’s Six Nations? Henson: They can beat England and Ireland away. Do that and it will crack those two. I’m looking forward to the first match with Scotland. It will be interesting.