Henson’s left sweating on his future with Toulon
TROUBLED Wales star Gavin Henson has been summoned for showdown talks with his national rugby union as French club Toulon consider the possibility of terminating his contract.
Henson, who has only played twice for his latest employers since his arrival in February following a short stint at Saracens, was suspended after becoming involved in a brawl with team-mates earlier this month.
It had been assumed that Henson’s time in Toulon was up when the club owner, Mourad Boudjellal, was reported last Friday as saying: “He has been difficult to manage.”
Indeed, several French rugby media outlets confirmed the departure yesterday before the club said it was remaining silent, and that no decision would be made on the 29-year-old’s future for at least 48 hours.
“We are not saying anything or giving any guidance,” said Tom Whitford, the club’s manager.
Henson’s one-time Wales team-mate Andy Powell, currently suspended by Wasps, who are investigating the circumstances of a pub brawl involving the back-rower, has also been asked to appear before Wales Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis and Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
The WRU statement read: “Following recent reported incidents, WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis and Wales head coach Warren Gatland have requested meetings with Gavin Henson and Andy Powell in the course of the coming weeks.”
Henson, the Wales international who had been looking for a two-year contract with Toulon, was suspended and made the subject of a club inquiry after it was alleged that he had fought with an Australian team-mate, Matt Henja.
The former Ospreys centre had also been accused of bad-mouthing both England’s totemic fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and the club captain Joe van Niekerk, during celebrations of the Top14 win over Toulouse a fortnight ago.
LIFE AND CRIMES | GAVIN HENSON
Dec 2005: Serves seven-week ban for breaking an opponents nose
May 2006: Misses tour of Argentina due to poor fitness
Dec 2007: Charged with disorderly conduct after allegations of drunken behaviour aboard a London-bound train
Oct 2008: Banned for two games by Ospreys after skipping a training session
Jan 2011: Leaves Saracens after just two games with the London club