Henson deal denied by Wasps boss Edwards
WASPS head coach Shaun Edwards has poured cold water on suggestions the club have struck a deal to sign Wales centre Gavin Henson.
British and Irish Lions star Henson, who is currently on a break from the sport and competing in Strictly Come Dancing, is said to have agreed to join when he completes his run on the television contest.
But Edwards dismissed his signing, insisting that although he has not played for them since March 2009, Henson is still contracted to Ospreys and therefore not in Wasps’ sights.
“He plays for Ospreys doesn’t he? So it would be pretty hard to say you’ve signed somebody who plays for someone else,” said Edwards. “Do you negotiate with someone who is contracted to another club? No. We have never.”
Emphasising that they would not pay a transfer fee, he added: “We are not in a position to do that. Our owner has spent £4m up to the salary cap and we are very grateful to him for that. We are not in a position to pay transfer fees for players.”
Henson has been on unpaid leave from the Welsh side for more than a year while he
decided whether to make his hiatus permanent.
But the 28-year-old is thought keen to return to the game and stake a claim for a place in the Wales squad for next year’s World Cup finals.
His contract, which has a year left to run, remains an obstacle but could be broken if compensation were agreed.
l Former Harlequins physio Steph Brennan has been struck off by the Health Professions Council for his role in the Bloodgate scandal.WASPS head coach Shaun Edwards has poured cold water on suggestions the club have struck a deal to sign Wales centre Gavin Henson.
British and Irish Lions star Henson, who is currently on a break from the sport and competing in Strictly Come Dancing, is said to have agreed to join when he completes his run on the television contest.
But Edwards dismissed his signing, insisting that although he has not played for them since March 2009, Henson is still contracted to Ospreys and therefore not in Wasps’ sights.
“He plays for Ospreys doesn’t he? So it would be pretty hard to say you’ve signed somebody who plays for someone else,” said Edwards. “Do you negotiate with someone who is contracted to another club? No. We have never.”
Emphasising that they would not pay a transfer fee, he added: “We are not in a position to do that. Our owner has spent £4m up to the salary cap and we are very grateful to him for that. We are not in a position to pay transfer fees for players.”
Henson has been on unpaid leave from the Welsh side for more than a year while he
decided whether to make his hiatus permanent.
But the 28-year-old is thought keen to return to the game and stake a claim for a place in the Wales squad for next year’s World Cup finals.
His contract, which has a year left to run, remains an obstacle but could be broken if compensation were agreed.
l Former Harlequins physio Steph Brennan has been struck off by the Health Professions Council for his role in the Bloodgate scandal.
Brennan admitted to faking blood injuries on five occasions, including the infamous instance of Tom Williams during a Heineken Cup clash with Leinster in April 2009.
Brennan admitted to faking blood injuries on five occasions, including the infamous instance of Tom Williams during a Heineken Cup clash with Leinster in April 2009.